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Tim De Chant-November 18, 2021 at 10:26 PM UTC

In the large number of new electric vehicles launched in the past few years, one thing is largely missing: the third row. SUVs and crossovers that can accommodate more than 5 passengers are very popular, but if you don't want to burn fossil fuels, your options are limited.

However, Hyundai and Kia plan to change this situation. Before the Los Angeles Auto Show starting tomorrow, both companies have introduced the concept of a new three-row electric SUV that hints at driving to the United States in 2024. Hyundai made fun of the Ioniq Seven, which is the second model of the new electric car-the only sub-brand it is launching. At the same time, Kia gave us a look at the EV9, which is the boxy big brother of the curved EV6.

It is consistent with the recent design of Hyundai and Kia, although based on the same E-GMP platform, the two cars look very different. However, they shared enough details to make people feel like part of the same family.

Although softer than the bluffing Kia EV9, the Ioniq Seven concept car is undoubtedly an SUV. Unlike the smaller Ioniq 5, which resembles a thermal hatch, the number seven is tall and long, with square wheel arches and a long overhang at the front and back. The curved roofline ends in a thick D-pillar, which from some angles looks like a tall Audi A7. Ioniq's parametric pixel lighting scheme emphasizes the considerable size of the front and rear of the vehicle, and there are even a little retro lights on the front doors and above the wheels.

The bus door—probably not for production—opened to reveal a curved sofa-like bench, two captain's chairs, and a footstool, all of which were wrapped in fabric and decorated with copper. Although the panoramic sunroof is indispensable nowadays, the seven avoided it and switched to a large OLED display. Other interiors are made of bamboo, mineral plaster and "bioresin" (whatever it is), and once the passengers leave, the interior can be disinfected with UV-C lights. Oh, there is also a mini refrigerator and "shoe care compartment" to "refresh passengers' shoes" in case your feet are not fresh, um, fresh. There is no steering wheel-the concept can be driven on its own-but there is a retractable lever.

Kia sought a rougher appearance on the EV9 concept car, choosing more angular shoulders, a flat roof and a more upright windshield. The bright black door sills and wheel arches suggest a certain off-road capability, although most car owners will not venture outside the gravel driveway. The overall design echoes telluride, which is not a bad thing.

In the door, the middle seat can be folded into a table, and the front seat can be rotated left and right when parking. The seats are made of recycled plastic bottles and wool fibers, and the floor carpets are made of recycled fishing nets. Unlike number seven, there is no mention of automatic mode here-the driver will have to grab the yoke. The 27-inch wide display provides a seamless screen for the driver to view speed, range, and infotainment.

Hyundai's goal is to have a cruising range of at least 300 miles, while the boxy Kia EV9 concept car will travel 300 miles before it needs to be charged. These are not Lucid Air-beating figures, but Hyundai and Kia bet that people will not mind, because the 350-kilowatt fast charge should increase the battery power from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes.

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