The large electric SUV was seen driving in Santiago without any camouflage.
This version looks close to production-ready due to a few compliance details.
Chile could have been chosen as a location for promotional shots before the vehicle’s launch.
A video posted on Instagram by user @nacional.collector appears to show the production version of the Kia EV9 rolling in the streets of Santiago in Chile.
Despite the blurry images, the large electric SUV seems to have all of the items required of a production model, such as functional headlamps and reflectors in the rear bumper.
Combined with traditional side mirrors and black roof rails, these look to be the only changes versus the concept that was unveiled a few months ago.
Since the production version of the EV9 is set to be officially unveiled later this year, this sighting could suggest Kia chose to shoot promotional images and videos of this model in Chile.
Kia EV9 sighting | Photo: @nacional.collector (Instagram)
This could explain why an undisguised future product was seen driving around in broad daylight in a country where sightings like this aren’t usual.
As of now, information regarding this model hints at it being an electric counterpart to the current Telluride, which means it will feature three rows of seats that will accommodate seven or eight passengers.
Kia also says to expect around 300 miles (483 kilometres) of range and charging capabilities up to 350 kW, which confirms this model will adopt an 800-volt battery architecture like the EV6 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 6.
Speaking of Hyundai, Kia’s parent company will also have its own three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 7, which will share its platform and mechanicals with the EV9.
Given that the EV9 appears to stay true to the initial concept, the IONIQ 7 could also be quite close in appearance to the Hyundai SEVEN concept which was shown at the same time.
The coming months should see both models make their public debut ahead of the start of production in the latter part of 2023.
