Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Wheels of Wonder: The Award-Winning Design Behind the Kia EV9's Unique Look


The Kia EV9 is a brand-new three-row electric SUV that has already earned praise from critics and customers alike! We were paying close attention here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis when it snatched up the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award. Constantly sought-after and sensational, it also claimed the 2024 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Supreme Winner. A vehicle can’t secure any of these major awards unless it delivers a truly exceptional driving experience.

The EV9’s amazing electric propulsion system, class-leading design, and gorgeous interior all are elements that have established it as one of the most desirable vehicles in its segment. Kia had personally invited the CarBuzz review team to the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show, where they had the chance to speak with Teck-Koun Kim, who is in charge of Kia Next Design Group. He and his team have spent many productive hours constructing the entire EV fleet, and conceptualizing Kia’s influential design language. They began by solidifying just how striking the EV9 was meant to be, as a vehicle that catches attention immediately. 


So many cars on the market now are built “just to blend in”, and don’t have the captivating allure that renders them instantly memorable. The reinvigorated Kia lineup began with a smaller-than-average EV. Things moved forward subtly from that point on, and Kias now almost looks as if they are from a completely separate brand! The vehicles of today have arrived with a bit of a design disparity. The driving factor for this is the pace at which new vehicles are launched and existing models are updated. 


The vehicles that will be delivered very shortly are necessary to move from gas to electric. It has been important to consider the character that was needed to rise up as an industry favorite. The Telluride is now one of the most successful SUVs in the nation. This was achieved by an introspective look at how drivers perceive Kia based on first impressions. One of the visually striking features that has won many over is the Star Map lighting. This is a very personalized way of making the EV9 stand out from other models. 


The K8 was launched with its own form of lighting called the Star Cloud, which was inspired by the unique beauty of the night sky. As people go about their necessary tasks, they love to draw inspiration from nature. These small yet impactful touches embrace a technical appeal that allows one to enjoy an organic connection while on the road. Even the EV9’s wheel designs were very carefully selected. EV wheels are consistently challenged by aerodynamics. The more closed the final build is, the better it performs during the task at hand. 


The wheels were eventually designed with geometric states that were visually appealing and efficient. The EV9’s interior has also won many over with its very open and airy interior. The lack of an engine allows automakers to approach a completely different layout formula. Head designer Kim’s favorite element of the EV9 is the side view. The overall SUV has an upright character, while the hood offers a very gentle surface. The very front end can remind some of what the Niro appears like, with a few distinct accents that allow it to not be overly boxy.