The Kia EV9 is equipped with a variety of active driver-assist and safety features for maximum convenience and safety on the road. It is the first Kia model to be equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities with Highway Driving Pilot (HDP). Highway Driving Pilot maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of it and keeps the vehicle centred in its lane, even if the driver lets go of the steering wheel. If the system detects an imminent risk, it can perform an emergency manoeuvre to prevent a collision. In the case of function failure or limit situation, the driver is asked to take over. And if the driver fails to take over, the vehicle recognizes this as an emergency and stops the vehicle. Besides that, the EV9 will come with the outstanding feature of hands-off driving, which will be available in Germany first.
The Kia EV9 also comes standard with the latest generation of Highway Driving Assist 2. HDA 2 combines Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA 2) with Hands On Detection (HoD). This system prevents a collision if another vehicle cuts in front of it at low speed. Lane Change Assist, which was also included in the previous generation of HDA, helps the vehicle change lanes when the driver turns on the turn signal. The vehicle will automatically switch lanes in the direction indicated when it is safe to do so.
Lane Following Assist 2.0 (LFA 2.0), meanwhile, ensures a safe side passing distance by adjusting the vehicle’s position in its lane. Similarly, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) issues a warning and, if needed, assistance steering if the vehicle starts to drift from its lane without the turn signal being activated.
Blind View Monitor (BVM) and Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist (BCA) both provide added safety to prevent rear collisions. Blind View Monitor displays the rear side view when the turn signal is activated for additional visibility during lane changes, and Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist provides a warning or assistance braking if another vehicle is detected when exiting a parallel parking spot or changing lanes.
Forward Collision-avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2) with Junction Turning/Crossing helps avoid collisions with a variety of other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles – including in challenging situations such as navigating an intersection, dealing with oncoming traffic, and during lane changes. Depending on the situation, the system may provide a warning or apply evasive steering or emergency braking to prevent a collision.
The Intelligent Front-lighting System (IFS) automatically turns on high beams at night to improve both night visibility and safety. High Beam Assist (HBA), meanwhile, can recognize the ambient light of an oncoming vehicle and turn the high beams off or on again accordingly.
Driver Attention Warning (DAW) monitors the driver’s behavior and issues a warning if their attention level is determined to be too low. Similarly, when stopped at a traffic light, it can also warn the driver if the vehicle ahead of them has already departed and the driver did not react quickly enough.
Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), meanwhile, recognizes the speed limit of the road and warns the driver if they start to exceed it. When combined with Smart Cruise Control, the vehicle speed will adjust automatically when the speed limit changes.
The Kia EV9 provides class-leading levels of protection and safeguarding for both occupants and batteries, including nine airbags that even cover the third row.