Kia EV9 to take EV rollout to next step

Kia is on a roll with electric vehicles. This year the automaker again upped its electrification target, saying it will sell 2.38 million full-electric and hybrid vehicles globally in 2030 — an increase of 300,000 vehicles over last year's target. EVs will make up about 1.6 million of those vehicles.

Kia also now plans to launch 15 EV models by 2027 — one more than previously announced.

In the U.S., the automaker will launch eight EVs by 2029 and convert half of its new-vehicle sales to electric power from gasoline by the early 2030s.

First up is the EV9, a new flagship EV and a three-row crossover that offers larger families a legitimate kid-hauler option. It also will be the first domestically built EV from Kia after production moves to its assembly plant in West Point, Ga., next year. Eventually, the EV9 will likely benefit from the joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and battery maker SK On.

Kia Mexico, the automaker's factory in Monterrey, Mexico, may undergo electrification upgrades to produce two smaller EVs. Hyundai Motor Group's flexible production strategies would also allow Hyundai counterparts to be assembled at the Kia plant. However, nothing has been confirmed.

An electric pickup is still on the horizon, which would position Kia competitively against rivals that include Rivian, Volkswagen's Scout and Ford, which could electrify its Ranger.

Electric midsize pickup: Kia's plan to sell 14 EVs globally by 2027 includes a dedicated electric pickup that could be sold on parent Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform or its next evolution, called IMA. The pickup, likely in the midsize segment, is expected in late 2026 or sometime in 2027. Production could take place at Hyundai's Metaplant under construction outside Savannah, Ga.

EV9: Kia unveiled its boxy, Telluride-size EV9 electric crossover in April at the New York Auto Show, promising premium accommodations, a target all-electric range of 300 miles and ultrafast charging thanks to its E-GMP architecture. The people hauler will go on sale late this year as a 2024 model.

Its standard battery pack will be rated at 76.1 kilowatt-hours, with an option to upgrade to a 99.8-kWh pack.

Although the first EV9s will be imported from South Korea, the vehicle will be moved to Kia's plant in Georgia. Pricing is still unknown, but the EV9 could start around $55,000, with higher trims climbing north of the $70,000 EV tax credit eligibility cap set by the Inflation Reduction Act.

EV6: The EV6 electric compact crossover, launched in 2022, was Kia's first dedicated EV built on the E-GMP architecture. A more powerful, 576-hp GT variant went on sale late last year as Kia's priciest model. The EV6 GT uses the same 77.4-kWh battery as the rest of the EV6 lineup but gets a boost from a more powerful 160-kilowatt motor in the front and a 270-kW motor in the rear. The top-performing all-wheel-drive EV6 GT gets a combined 320 hp from a 74-kW front motor and 165-kW rear motor. For 2024, the EV6 carries over. A minor freshen is likely in early 2025. Its next generation is expected in late 2027, which could see it move to the IMA platform.

EV3: A Seltos-size electric subcompact crossover could come in 2025. It will likely be timed with the arrival of an electric compact car, possibly called the EV4. Both will start production in South Korea in 2024 but won't arrive until Kia's factory in Monterrey, Mexico, is upgraded for electrification. Kia has not confirmed its intent to build EVs in Mexico.

EV5: Kia revealed its EV5 compact crossover in concept form, sized close to the top-selling Sportage and sharing boxy styling cues with the EV9. It is expected to launch in the U.S. in late 2024 as a 2025 model year vehicle. It could potentially be built at Kia Mexico.

Electric midsize car: In late 2026, Kia could replace the K5 midsize sedan with a similar-size EV or opt to add a more performance-minded EV with fastback styling, reminiscent of the now-discontinued Stinger. It also could follow in the footsteps of the EV6 by offering a GT variant.

EV4: An electric compact car with dimensions close to the Forte is expected to be launched alongside the EV3 in 2025. Like the EV3, it could be built at Kia Mexico, where electrification upgrades are likely.

Telluride: The popular three-row crossover was freshened for the 2023 model year sporting new off-road enhancements, styling tweaks and upgraded tech. Two new adventure-oriented trims — X-Line and X-Pro — offer more rugged looks, higher ground clearance and improved approach/departure angles. For 2024, the Telluride carries over unchanged. It would be due for a redesign in late 2025, and like the Palisade with which it shares its 291-hp 3.8-liter V-6, an optional hybrid or turbo four-cylinder may be in the works.

Sorento: The fourth generation of the midsize crossover debuted for the 2021 model year with new styling, a more capable X-Line trim, two punchier gasoline engines and a hybrid model. A plug-in variant joined the lineup for 2022. A freshen is expected late this year. Though Kia has not confirmed details on its plans for the Sorento, camouflaged prototypes have been spotted with headlights similar to the Telluride, signaling a visual update that will bring it more in line with the Telluride. A redesign is expected in early 2026.

Sportage: Kia's longest-running nameplate was redesigned for the 2023 model year. The fifth generation of the compact crossover added the X-Line and X-Pro trims and introduced a new 187-hp 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed transmission that can be configured with front- or all-wheel drive. A turbo hybrid and a plug-in hybrid joined the lineup last year. For 2024, the Sportage carries over unchanged. A minor freshen is expected in 2025, followed by an expected redesign in early 2027.

Niro: Kia's affordable electric compact crossover represents a "trio of electrification" from the brand, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV variants. The Niro was redesigned for the 2023 model year for its second generation and went on sale last fall sporting improvements on each powertrain and a larger footprint. It shares a platform with the Hyundai Kona but has a lower, more wagon-like body. For 2024, the Niro carries over unchanged. A freshen is expected in late 2025. It is possible that the current generation of the Niro will be its last as Kia continues to roll out it portfolio of dedicated EVs.

Soul: Kia's funky runabout carries over unchanged for 2024, a pattern since the redesign for its third generation was unveiled three years ago. Another no-freshen year signals the likely end of the boxy crossover. It's expected that the Seltos will take the place as the brand's entry-level, gasoline-powered subcompact crossover. As such, 2025 may be its last model year.

Seltos: The subcompact crossover that serves as an entry point into the Kia brand underwent a major freshen for the 2024 model year. Seltos went on sale this spring with revised front and rear fascia, improved interior tech, an X-Line trim, a 20-hp increase on the optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, a new 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. A new-generation Seltos should arrive early 2026, coinciding with the possible end of the Soul.

Carnival: Kia's multipurpose vehicle carries over mostly unchanged for the 2024 model year, except for some enhancement to the mid-range EX trim. The Carnival will be in line for a minor freshen in 2024 with a redesign following in the first half of 2027.

K5: Kia's midsize sedan carries over unchanged for the 2024 model year. A new generation of the K5 with modest changes and a lot of carryover parts is expected in late 2026, which will keep it going until it's replaced by a full EV.

Forte: For 2024, Kia's compact sedan carries over unchanged. A new generation is expected in mid-2024 for the 2025 model year. It could follow in the footsteps of the Optima — now called the K5 — with a name change to K3 from Forte.

Rio: Kia's smallest vehicle, now in its fourth generation, will be discontinued for the 2024 model year. It shares a similar fate as its Hyundai counterpart, the Accent subcompact sedan, which did not return for the 2023 model year.