We’ve now discovered preliminary pricing for Kia’s upcoming EV9 three-row SUV in a single European market, because of a worth record on Kia’s Belgian web site.

Up to now we’ve needed to speculate on pricing for the upcoming EV9, as Kia hasn’t introduced US pricing but. With deliveries beginning in Korea final week, we all know what home Korean pricing is for the EV9 – it begins at round $60K. However issues can change when automobiles get exported, so European pricing provides us a bit of extra of a touch as to what the automotive may cost a little abroad.

Now, because of a Belgian worth record, we all know that the bottom mannequin “Earth launch version” spec of the EV9 begins at €74,990 – undoubtedly a better worth than we initially anticipated. “Earth” on this occasion refers to trim stage, as Kia is wont to make use of environmental phrases to explain its trim ranges (“wave,” “wind,” and so on.). The one separately-priced choices we see are for swiveling second-row seats and metallic or matte paint. In any other case, all customization comes by the 2 trim ranges (the upper “GT Line” trim prices an extra €8,900).

Nonetheless, there are some caveats. These costs embrace Belgian taxes, which stand at 21%. The pre-tax base worth is €61,975, which interprets to ~$67.5K at present alternate charges. This, we expect, is the closest thought of what US pricing may seem like for the upcoming SUV.

Nonetheless, that is the 99.8kWh “giant battery” model. We haven’t seen pricing for the “commonplace” 76.1kWh model wherever but, however we think about that may account for a pleasant chunk of a reduction. For comparability, the EV6 is available in 58kWh and 77kWh variations, and that 19kWh distinction will price you $6,100 extra. So the 23kWh distinction between the EV9’s two fashions ought to in all probability reduce an analogous quantity off of the worth.

So the bottom worth of the standard-battery mannequin, as soon as that comes round, might be nearer to $60K once more. That is nonetheless dearer than the Korean pricing, since Korea will get the big battery for round $60K, so it seems like we’re seeing possibly a ten% or so enhance for overseas fashions.

It additionally begins the EV9 close to the highest of pricing for the EV6. The EV6 begins at $42K however goes as much as $61K for the highest-end configurations. So Kia is constructing a worth ladder right here, with the larger automotive occupying the highest rung of it (personally I believe smaller automobiles are higher, however I suppose I’m the bizarre one).

Evaluating to different choices available on the market, it is a huge chunk dearer than Kia’s gas-powered SUV, the Telluride, which begins at $35k, or €34k in Europe. That large almost-100kWh battery doesn’t come low-cost.

Whereas EV worth differentials can typically be made up by subsidies, the EV9 gained’t qualify for the US EV tax credit score, because of being assembled in Korea. Nonetheless, US consumers can get round this restriction by leasing, the place Kia presently affords a $7,500 lease deal on its present fashions by passing alongside the business EV tax credit score to the lessee. Kia hasn’t confirmed that this deal will apply to the EV9, however because it applies to its different EV fashions, we suspect it would – although possibly not instantly at launch.

However taking a look at pricing of another three-row electrical SUVs, this worth would put the EV9 about mid-pack. If we assume an eventual ~$60K base for the usual mannequin, that’s greater than the Tesla Mannequin Y and Mercedes EQB which each begin at round $53K with their anemic rear seats, roughly in keeping with or rather less than what we anticipate from the spacious three-row ID.Buzz, and fairly a piece lower than the Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90 that are within the 80K vary.

We’re seeing extra sightings of the EV9 within the US (we simply noticed a video of 1 in Palm Springs, see under), so launch is imminent. We’ll absolutely get actual pricing quickly, however till then, what do you concentrate on the doubtless ~$60K base worth within the US for the standard-battery EV9? Or $67K for the big battery? Tell us within the feedback.