Kia has announced pricing for its next electric vehicle as it gets closer to release toward the end of this year. It’s the EV9, a three-row SUV that uses the company’s E-GMP architecture, also used to good effect in smaller EVs like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. When the EV9 arrives in showrooms, the range will start at $54,900 (plus destination charge).

“We knew we had to get the EV9 pricing right, and we believe today’s announcement will be a wake-up call to the industry,” said Kia America’s COO, Steve Center.

“A well-equipped three-row SUV EV doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. It should offer the perfect balance of standard features, the ability to fast charge, and be equipped with the technology savvy EV buyers are looking for. The EV9 provides all of this, and we can’t wait for it to go on sale later this year,” he said.

However, Kia has only released pricing for the base model, the EV9 Light. This is a single-motor version, with a 215 hp (160 kW), 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels. Pricing for other trim levels and all-wheel drive will follow later, Kia says.

Initially, US-market EV9s will be built in South Korea and thus would only qualify for the federal clean vehicle tax credit if leased. But in 2024, Kia will begin building the EV9 at its plant in West Point, Georgia. Currently, this factory builds the Kia Sorento, K5, and Telluride. Once domestic production begins, the EV9 should qualify for the tax credit.

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