Hyundai Motor Group affiliate Kia aims to double hybrid sales by 2028, releasing hybrid versions of existing nine major models as the automaker reconsiders its focus on the competitive electric vehicle market. Kia says the company’s shift in plans is sparked by slowing EV demand.
The South Korean automaker will expand hybrid production, targeting sales of 800,000 units—or 19% of total sales—in 2028, up from an anticipated 372,000 units—or 12% of total sales.
Kia sold about three million new vehicles in 2023. Less than 20% were in South Korea, while Europe and the US accounted for 50%. For hybrids, Kia also plans to expand sales in Australia, Europe and the US in addition to its home market.
Kia operates a mixed production setup that combines production of EVs, hybrids and gas engine vehicles at its 13 plants in South Korea and overseas, allowing flexibility in production ratios.
Japan-based trade platform Nikkei Asia reports Kia will also boost research and development spending US $38 trillion in the five years through 2028 and is developing a new hybrid engine that improves efficiency and extends the range of its vehicles.
Electric vehicle purchases have plateaued due to rising interest rates and a lack of charging infrastructure, so making affordable and fuel-efficient hybrids is a popular alternative.
Now delivering in Australia and leading the charge for a bigger and more comfortable SUV comes the Kia Sorento hybrid EV 9, rated the largest electric seven-seater in the top-10 car brands on sale in Australia. The EV9 is not the first seven-seat electric SUV sold in Australia. The Tesla Model X was available with seven seats before deliveries ceased locally in 2020, and the smaller Mercedes-Benz EQB and larger EQS are both available with seven seats].
Priced close to $100,000, Kia reckons the family car of the future has arrived with this hybrid, which features a 32 kW/265 Nm 1.6-litre turbo-charged petrol engine paired with a 40-kW electric motor and a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery for a 169 kW/350 Nm total system output.
A six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission sends power to either the front or all four wheels.
The Kia EV9 line-up for Australia – currently three models – includes:
- The Kia EV9 air single motor, rear-wheel drive 76.1 kWh battery pack with 443 km range and 0-2100 km/h in 8.2 seconds at $97,000 plus on-roads.
- The Kia EV9 Earth is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive vehicle with a 99.8 kWh battery pack, 512 km range, and 0–100 km/h in six seconds. It costs $106,500.
- The EV9 GT-Line, with its dual motor and all-wheel drive, has a 99.8kWh battery pack, a 505 km range, and a 0–100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds. It is priced at around $121,000 plus on-roads.
The Sorento was subjected to an extensive ride and handling tuning program in Australia, covering thousands of kilometres across urban, country, and outback roads in complete comfort. This was helped by a 14-way power driver’s seat, four-way lumbar support, cushion extension, and two seating position memory functions.
For the front passenger, there’s a 10-way power seat with two-way lumbar support.
“More spacious, more versatile, with class-leading innovations wrapped in finely tailored style,” says Kia. The Sorento is not only one of the most high-tech Kia cars ever made; it leads the way in large SUV design.
The EV9’s purpose-built EV platform utilises ultra-high-strength steel to provide a robust yet lightweight structure. It comes equipped with an available 99.8 kWh battery, dual motor e-AWD, and a generous 122-in. wheelbase – comparable to that of luxury vehicles.
Few three-row SUVs in the segment offer the power and exhilarating performance; the EV9 accelerates from 0-96.5 km in just 4.5 seconds – quicker than the 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV and 2023 Land Rover Range Rover P400 3-Row.
The EV9 excels in emergency manoeuvres such as quick lane changes, acceleration, and braking, earning it better overall dynamic performance than the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover P400 3-Row.
Kia says the single-motor EV9 will manage up to 560 km on a single charge, with the dual-motor car doing slightly less at 503 km. While a Tesla Model X can, in theory, travel further without needing a plug-in, the EV9 can go for longer on a charge than, say, the Mercedes EQB, which can only do around 402 km.
All versions of the Kia EV9 have a 95kWh (usable capacity) battery, but the range between charges depends on whether you want two or four-wheel drive – RWD or AWD. The entry-level RWD version is driven by its rear wheels and can officially do 56 1km, while the heavier AWD model tops out at 503 km.
All four doors have one-touch auto-up power windows, and the driver and front passenger have extendable sun visors to block side glare.
While cargo space is modest when all seven seats are in position, the EV9 has storage under the bonnet – though the size of the ‘frunk’ (front trunk) varies depending on whether the vehicle is rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (the front electric motor and its ancillaries occupy a bit of room).
The SUV flagship is in the crash-testing process by European NCAP, after which Australasian NCAP will interpret the results.
The company has equipped the Kia EV9 with technology that would make it eligible for a five-star result – pending the outcome of crash tests and the validation of the collision-avoidance systems.