Kia is expanding its only manufacturing plant in the US to make room for its first electric three-row SUV. The Kia EV9 will be the automaker’s first EV assembled in North America. Assembly will begin at its West Point, Georgia, plant next year.
Kia to build EV9 electric SUV at West Point, Georgia
Kia announced an over $200 million expansion Wednesday, creating nearly 200 additional jobs in the area.
The EV9 will be the fifth model assembled at its Georgia facility but the first all-electric vehicle to join the lineup. Sean Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America, said the “EV9 has the potential to be another ‘game changer’ for Kia.” He added:
This will be the most sophisticated vehicle that we have ever built and will be a standout in the EV market and on the road. Best of all, it will be assembled in West Point, Georgia.
In March, Kia officially unveiled the EV9 electric SUV, garnering praise for its bold design and advanced features.
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)2024 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
Meet Kia’s first EV set for assembly in the US
The EV9 is the largest electric car from Kia so far and its first three-row electric SUV. Kia says the EV9 is reshaping the company with a “bold vision for the new era of electrification.”
As such, the EV9 includes some of the latest in-vehicle technology, including Kia’s most advanced Highway Driving Pilot, OTA updates, onboard power generator functionality (V2L), and ultra-wideband-based Digital Key.
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)2024 EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)
Despite the advancements, Kia is not stepping away from the segment, claiming the EV9 offers “true SUV capabilities.” These include 7.8-inch ground clearance, up to 81.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, up to 5,000 lbs towing capacity, and available torque-vectoring dual-motor AWD.
Based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s 800-volt E-GMP platform (the same one used to power the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Kia EV6), the EV9 includes fast-charging capabilities, designed to go from 10% to 80% charge (adding 148 miles of driving range) in under 25 minutes.
Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
The EV9 will be available in two powertrain options. The standard is a 76.1 kWh battery (fourth-generation) with a 215 hp (160 kW) motor. In addition, a 99.8 kWh battery pack will be offered with a single motor, targeting 300 miles range, or a dual-motor 379 hp torque-vectoring AWD configuration with 516 lb-ft of torque.
Kia is expected to begin assembling the EV9 at its West Point, Georgia, plant starting in the second quarter of 2024. The automaker began delivering the electric SUV to customers in South Korea last month, gathering 13,000 preorders in its first eight days on the market.
Although Kia has yet to release prices for the US market, we expect that, based on the first European prices, the EV9 will start around $65,000 to $70,000 for the larger battery pack and around $60,000 for the standard model.
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Luxury is a tough concept to pin down, but being constantly connected to work, kids, and telemarketers ain’t it. Genesis gets it, and its latest ultra-luxe off-road concept ditches screens in favor of the view out the windshield – and it’s got enough off-road chops to promise two things about those views: they’re real, and they’re spectacular!
Genesis calls its new X Gran Equator concept an elegant overlander for the modern explorer that marries on-road sophistication with off-road resilience. Whatever they call it, the 4×4’s dashboard is delightfully free from sweeping touchscreens, mood lighting, and any hint of telephonic integration.
If you zoom in, you can see screens in the instruments. High-definition roll and pitch displays, altimeters, and probably other outdoorsy, overland-y things that the sort of people who want to do that in what would surely be a verywell-appointed six-figure SUV for a similarly verywell-heeled buyer.
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And that buyer? They wouldn’t miss the screen, because the screen doesn’t matter. The real show is out the front windshield – and if someone from the office calls to interrupt the vibe, you won’t even know. I know I’d pay extra for that … and I can’t imagine I’m alone.
This is how Genesis explains it:
Inside, the X Gran Equator Concept orchestrates contrast between analog architecture and digital technologies, crafting a space that feels both functional and evocative. At the center of the cabin is a four-circle display cluster on the center stack, inspired by the vintage camera dials. The interior design features contrasting colors and shapes, with a preference for geometric over organic elements. The dashboard’s linear architecture and absence of decorations focus the driver’s attention on the journey, while swiveling front seats and modular storage solutions enhance practicality.
After the show, the company will move the concept to a display at Genesis House New York in the Meatpacking District, where it will stay “in residence” until the end of July. If you’re out that way for either event, take a picture of it and tag Electrek on Instagram!
The new-for-2025 Honda P7 electric SUV officially went on sale earlier today with 469 hp and more than 650 km (403 miles) of range from its 89.8-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery … and you won’t believe the price!
First shown as a concept at the launch of Honda’s Ye brand a year ago, today. Ye is a joint venture between Honda and local automakers Dongfeng, who build the brand’s S7 model, and GAC, which helped develop the mechanically similar P7 that just went on sale.
And, by “similar,” I mean really, really similar. The AWD version of the new Honda P7 offers up to 620 km (385 miles) of CLTC-rated range, while the RWD can go 650 km (403 miles), which are identical figures to the S7. Even the crossover’s dimensions, at 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall with a 2,930 mm wheelbase, are identical.
Even the interiors – which are fantastic, by the way, with an innovative mix of screens, buttons, and super-slick sideview monitors – are tough to tell apart.
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Honda Ye EV interior(s)
So, how can you tell the P7 apart from its S7 sibling? The P7 has C-shaped lighting elements that are distinctive from the S7’s X-shaped lights. The end result is a face that reads a bit more “Honda” to me, but that may or may not be a good thing in the Chinese market.
Pricing for the new Honda P7 starts at 199,900 yuan (about $27,200) for the two wheel drive variant, and is also offered with all-wheel drive for 249,900 yuan (about $34,000, as I type this), complete with the sort of advanced ADAS features you have to pay good money to supervise here in the US. That pricing makes both P7 models significantly less expensive that the what the company thought would be the vehicle’s main competitor, the Tesla Model Y.
Kia just pulled the cover off its all-new 2026 EV4 today at the New York International Auto Show, marking the automaker’s first global all-electric sedan.
With a sleek design and practical features, Kia is clearly aiming to offer a compelling, affordable alternative to the flood of electric SUVs on the market.
The Kia EV4, set to hit US roads in early 2026, will be available in three trims – Light, Wind, and the sportier GT-Line.
Exterior and interior
2026 EV42026 EV4
Built on Kia’s 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV4 sedan sports a distinctive low, aerodynamic profile with a sporty fastback roofline. The front showcases vertical LED headlights paired with Kia’s signature Star Map lighting and a modernized version of Kia’s Tiger Face grille.
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Around back, vertical taillights and a two-piece spoiler emphasize the sedan’s sporty stance. Buyers can choose between standard 17-inch aero wheels or the 19-inch wheels exclusive to the GT-Line trim.
Inside, Kia’s EV4 emphasizes comfort, convenience, and spaciousness. A modern, open cockpit features high-quality materials, a two-spoke steering wheel, and an available 64-color ambient lighting system. With ample passenger room and cargo space, the EV4 balances practicality with a sleek, contemporary feel.
Powertrain and performance
2026 EV4
The EV4 comes with two battery options: a 58.3 kWh pack delivering about 235 miles of range (standard on the Light trim), or a larger 81.4 kWh pack good for around 330 miles (Wind and GT-Line trims). Both models feature a 150 kW front-mounted electric motor.
Charging won’t slow you down: Kia estimates a 10-to-80% DC fast charge takes just 29 minutes for the smaller battery and 31 minutes for the larger. The EV4 comes with a standard NACS charging port and is on the front passenger side.
This Kia sedan has a drag coefficient as low as 0.23 Cd. Its updated i-Pedal 3.0 system offers smooth one-pedal driving, even in reverse and adaptive regenerative braking. Additionally, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability means your EV4 can power everyday devices like laptops or camping gear.
A tech-loaded interior
2026 EV4
The EV4 features nearly 30 inches of combined widescreen displays. Personalization is easy, including themed interfaces and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 lets drivers manage locks, start the climate control remotely, and access other vehicle functions via smartphone. And Kia’s built-in AI Assistant ensures natural, responsive interactions, adding another convenience layer.
Comfort isn’t an afterthought, either. Dual-zone automatic climate control, available heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and acoustic windshield glass round out the premium feel.
Advanced driver-assist technology
2026 EV4
The EV4 is equipped with Highway Driving Assist as standard, which automatically adjusts the vehicle’s set speed to match the posted speed limit (if initially set to the speed limit) and maintains distance from the vehicle in front.
Standard Hands-On Detection helps ensure drivers stay engaged by monitoring steering-wheel grip, enhancing safety on longer trips.
Other available features include Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, and Lane Following Assist. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist simplifies parking in tight spots.
Look for the Kia EV4 sedan to reach US dealers in early 2026.
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