Category Archives: SUV

AWD, electric, Executive, Kia, Motoring, SUV

Kia EV9 flagship a bit of a rockstar

Leave a comment

Kia EV9 ‘GT-Line S’

By Bill McCarthy

Scrappage to showstopper

Kia has undergone a remarkable transformation in a relatively short time, evolving from a budget-friendly brand to a serious contender in the luxury car market with the EV9 flagship. The company’s rise was significantly boosted by the scrappage scheme, in the wake of the financial crash, which helped increase its sales by offering affordable, high-value vehicles with substantial trade-in offers.

This strategy allowed Kia to build a strong reputation for reliability and affordability, particularly with its industry leading seven-year 100k mile warranty.

In recent years, Kia has shifted gears, moving beyond economy cars to compete in the premium segment.

How does it look?

The introduction of its first luxury £65,000-plus vehicle, nearer £80k on this tested model, marked a major milestone, showcasing advanced technology, superior craftsmanship, and high-end performance. 

Kia has successfully expanded its market reach and positive brand recognition – similar the path of Skoda.

The EV9 is a huge car, built on the firm’s Electric Global Modular Platform (e-GMP), and  powered by a huge 99.8 kWh battery.

The overall look is striking (although a bit Marmite to some), with advanced technology, and sustainable materials.

 Design is based on the firm’s ‘Opposites United’ according to Kia, the design philosophy that finds harmony in the contrasting qualities of nature, modernity, and technology. 

Hmm, I didn’t get it either – they’re god at market speak as well.

Sitting on 21-inch alloy wheels, (again Marmite) it also features integrated roof bars and pop-out door handles.

What does it offer

There are three trims, Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. Air has a single 200bhp motor driving the rear wheels and a maximum range of up to 349 miles (WLTP), while the other two are all-wheel-drive with dual motors delivering an output of 378bhp and a smaller range of 313 miles.

Both are quick off the mark with the AWD models hitting 60 in 5.3 seconds, stunning pace for such a big hunk of metal.

The EV9 supports 800-volt charging, allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes.

There is a choice of six or seven seats, six on this model, the middle pair being swivelling ‘captain’s chair’ design instead of the three.

A real people carrier, but also a huge load lugger with easy to operate 60:40 split-fold second row and 50:50 split-fold third-row seats that can fold flat to create huge, van-like carrying capacity with a massive 2,393 litres.

Six USB-C charging ports, two per row, are available for charging devices on the move

A premium interior

The interior is, again, huge, bright and comfortable with two glass sun roofs on this model.

It’s a sustainable, premium cabin with recycled materials and vegan leather and a host of hi-tech kit. The large centre console is practical with sliding door with cupholders and secondary control buttons for auto hold, hill descent, rear cam, self-park buttons, plus wireless charging.

The second row seats are heated/cooled, recline with adjustable armrests with access to USB points and allow one-touch access to the smaller third row seats.

Central are dual 12.3-inch screens, the main screen delivering smartphone connectivity voice control and infotainment through the 14-speaker premium sound system, the second displaying driver information.

Other features include head-up display, wireless charging, fingerprint login. The seven-year free Kia Connect, includes online navigation, real-time traffic updates, parking availability, charging point locations, w and the app allows users to access these functions on their smartphones.

An engaging drive

On the road it is a surprisingly engaging drive. Extremely rapid off the mark, it delivers a smooth driving experience and, considering the weight is around three tons, handles reasonably well with a minimal body roll on bends despite its shape.

The self -levelling suspension soaks up nearly everything for a comfortable ride. While not a serious mud plugger, the Terrain modes of Mud, Snow, Sand adapt to prevailing conditions.

The one-pedal driving feature, adjusted to suit via the steering wheel paddles, also adds to the experience, while also adding charge to the battery

Refinement and safety

It is also a quiet place to be, with high-end sound-deadening insulation and thick glass. Packed with safety kit like a full complement of airbags, traction and stability control, blind spot, cruise control and lane departure technology, 360 degree camera and parking sensors.

The best yet

The EV9 is a bit of a motoring rockstar, already lauded by most of motoring media. It seriously increases Kia’s brand recognition, with an eco-friendly, practical and economical, (despite the  price tag) premium SUV. The standard kit is premium and too much to list here. And there’s still that seven-year, 100k miles warranty if needed.

Factfile

  • Kia EV9 GT-Line S
  • Price: £77,025 
  • Engine: Dual electric motors producing 378bhp , driving all wheels via a single speed automatic  transmission 
  • Max Speed: 124 mph  
  • 0-62 mph: 5.3 seconds  
  • Range: 313 miles (WLTP) 
  • Insurance Group: 45-50  
  • CO2 Emissions: 0 g/km  
  • BiK Rating: 2%  
  • Warranty: 7 years/100,000 miles  

BYD, Motoring, SUV, SUV/4X4

BYD Sealion 7: Rapid Charging and Exceptional Range

Leave a comment

BYD Sealion 7: Tesla Rival with Cutting-Edge EV Tech

BYD’s Tesla rivalling SUV is part of the Ocean Series, it features advanced battery tech, AI, and top-tier performance. It reportedly outsold Teslain the last quarter of 2024 and is now producing battery and charging technology that allows a top up to 80 per cent just five minutes.

Highlights:

  • Blade Battery: Durable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) with extreme stability.
  • Three Models:
    • Comfort (£46,990): 230 kW motor, 82.5 kWh battery, 300-mile plus range.
    • Design (£51,990): 390 kW AWD, 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds.
    • Excellence (£58,990): 91.3 kWh battery, 312-mile range, 230 kW ultra-rapid charging.
  • Fast Charging: 10-80% in 32 minutes (Comfort/Design) or 24 minutes (Excellence).

Design & Tech:

  • Sleek SUV with LED lights, panoramic roof, and rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen.
  • DiPilot driver-assist, vehicle-to-load (V2L), and 12-speaker audio.

Performance:

  • Instant acceleration, smooth ride, and AWD models hitting 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Full review

Sealion SUV already making waves

By Bill McCarthy

BYD, the Chinese car maker, may be an unfamiliar name to many. But if the firm has its way it will be more recognisable name than Tesla. It is growing at scale, with its latest model, the Sealion 7, remarkably, the fourth to be offered the UK in a shade over two years, offering a mixture of cutting edge battery technology and increasing use of AI.

What is clear is that BYD, originally a battery maker, brings real expertise in that field with what it says is the world’s fastest mass-production electric motor, capable of reaching 23,000 rpm.

It is the latest in what BYD describe as the Ocean Series, incorporating the Dolphin and Seal, with a maximum range, depending on model of 312 miles and an an extremely rapid 0-62 mph time of just 4.5 seconds.

Not only that, it is a very capable SUV that has the Tesla Model Y firmly in its sights, having recently surpassed it in sales. Whether that is totally down to BYD quality, or the popularity of Tesla’s owner remains to be seen.

There are three versions: Comfort, Design and Excellence the latter pair both being all wheel drive while entry level is driven via the rear wheels.

  • Comfort: Starting at £46,990, this model features a 230 kW (312 hp) motor and an 82.5 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 300 miles. 
  • Design: Priced from £51,990, it includes a second motor, delivering 390 kW (530 hp) while maintaining the same battery. 
  • Excellence: This top-tier model starts at £58,990 and boasts a large 91.3 kWh battery, extending the range to 312 miles.

Both AWD versions accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, compared to the Comfort’s 6.7 seconds.

Built on the new Platform 3.0 which is designed exclusively for electric vehicles it features BYD’s compact Blade battery that allows for more cells in a slimmer pack using lithium iron phosphate (LFP), said to be more durable than traditional lithium-ion.

The firm says the cell design ensures high stability, even under extreme conditions like overcharging, crushing, or puncturing.

It looks the part all right, It is a handsome-looking SUV, sporty but aerodynamic and featuring ‘floating’ LED headlights and to the rear, a full-width light signature all set off nicely by stylish 20-inch alloy wheels.

The spacious interior is a comfortable place to be, offering plenty of light from the full length, colour adjustable, panoramic roof. It seats five in comfort and has an eight-way electric driver’s seat and a premium feel to fixtures and fittings. It is dominated by a rotating 15.6 tablet style central screen that controls major functions.

New software delivers better integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing direct access to smartphone functions on the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and head-up display, which shows speed and safety data. 

It also features DiPilot driver-assistance features and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function for powering external devices.

The new voice control system recognises commands from both front and rear passengers, (although some commands it seemed incapable of delivering) and the infotainment includes with a 12-speaker audio system.

On the road, the car performs well, instant acceleration, while occupants enjoy a comfortable quite ride. Handling is pretty good for such a big car, with little evidence of wallow. The test run was not long enough to determine range, however.

Charging just gets easier. The Comfort and Design models can accommodate DC charger speeds of up to 150kW, enabling a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 32 minutes, while the Excellence supports ultra-rapid charging of up to 230kW, lopping eight minutes the 80 per recharge time despite its larger battery.