Kia EV9 Outsells Toyota's EV in 2023

Kia's EV9 has surpassed sales of Toyota's bZ4X, establishing a strong foothold in the competitive electric SUV market in the United States, according to a report by Electrek.

The EV9, Kia's inaugural three-row electric SUV, witnessed remarkable success, with sales nearly doubling those of Toyota's electric SUV in its initial full month on the American market.

"Significant Consumer Interest"

The momentum for the EV9 began building as early as October when Kia initiated pre-orders for the model, citing "significant consumer interest," as stated by Eric Watson, the brand's VP of sales.

The appeal of the EV9 was further underscored when, within two months, the model garnered reservations from all 50 states in the U.S. Kia strategically positioned the EV9 with a starting price of $54,900, deemed by the company as an industry "wake-up call."

Kia and its affiliate Hyundai reported record-breaking sales in the previous year, responding to the growing demand for electric vehicles. While Kia sold 18,879 units of its EV6 electric cars in 2023, a slight dip from 20,498 in 2022, the introduction of the EV9 is expected to inject fresh momentum into the brand.

Sean Yoon, Kia America CEO, expressed confidence in the EV9's potential to revitalize the brand, stating, "Groundbreaking vehicles like our new flagship EV9 EV three-row SUV showcase Kia's unique ability to elevate expectations and push boundaries."

He further emphasized Kia's commitment to accelerating growth in 2024, leveraging new models like the EV9.

In December 2023, Kia's EV9 achieved sales of 1,113 units in the U.S., surpassing Toyota's bZ4X, which recorded sales of 669 units in the same period, according to Electrek.

Notably, Toyota's electric SUV experienced only a modest 9.6% year-over-year growth, despite a broader increase of over 22% in overall sales.

All About the Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 presents a bold and confident visual presence, drawing inspiration from the brand's 'Opposites United' design philosophy, which seamlessly blends sleek, sculptural shapes with assertive geometry, creating a contemporary and serene SUV, according to the company.

"The Kia EV9 offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector. This new vehicle typology provides instinctive experiences and excellent comfort for not just the driver, but all occupants, through innovative use of space, technology and design," Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center, said in a statement when the vehicle was released.

The front showcases clear-cut lines, a 'Digital Pattern Lighting Grille,' and distinctive vertical headlamps, forming the signature 'Digital Tiger Face' with innovative 'Star Map LED daytime running lights,' providing a visionary and futuristic appearance.

As Hyundai Motor, including Kia and Genesis, aims to secure a position among the top three electric vehicle producers by the end of the decade, the success of models like the EV9 becomes crucial in achieving this ambitious goal.