Game-changing LandCruiser and Patrol rival is closer than you think! Kia hints at EV9's launch timing and pricing for Australia

Kia is expected to announce a local launch plan for its game-changing EV9 before the end of 2022, with the all-electric rival to full-size 4WD SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol expected to arrive in Australia in around 12 months.

The production version of Kia's all-electric SUV has now been spied testing - feeding the artist impression you see above - which means an official unveiling is edging closer. But Kia in Australia hopes to go one better before the end of the year, with a plan to confirm local timing, and potentially open expressions of interest, within the next six months.

Importantly, the brand says it hopes to be able to confirm the vehicle this year, ahead of a now almost-certain Australian launch in 2023.

"Look, our hand is firmly up for that, and it's looking positive," Kia Australia's general manager for product planning, Roland Rivero, told CarsGuide.

"Maybe at the next event (this year), whether it's for the new Seltos or the EV6 GT, maybe there's something we can announce at one of those events."

Not just the SUV that it hopes will disrupt the "two-horse race in the Upper Large segment between the Patrol and LandCruiser", Kia is also confident the EV9 will be something of a bargain, with the brand recently telling CarsGuide that it will start beneath $100k.

"As an entry point, we’re confident it can be a five-figure car," Mr Rivero, told us recently.

"Potential global pricing indicates that we might be able to bring it in just below six figures.”

That would put it roughly on-par with the diesel-powered Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, which starts at $89,990 for the GX, then steps to $101,790 for the GXL, $113,990 for the VX, $131,190 for the Sahara, $137,790 for the GR Sport and $138,790 for the Sahara ZX.

The Nissan Patrol, on the other hand, kicks off at $78,910 before on-road costs for the Ti, while the top-spec Ti-L lists at $93,365.

The concept version of the EV9 is 4930mm long, 2055mm wide and 1790mm tall, compared to the LandCruiser’s dimensions of 4980mm, 1980mm and 1950mm. That means the Kia is only 50mm shorter but 75mm wider.

Those dimensions are enough for Kia to craft a full-size, three-row, seven-seat SUV, making it a proper adventure-ready family vehicle.

While detailed specifications are yet to be confirmed, we do know the EV9 is promising a significant 483km driving range, and that — when plugged into a 350kW charger — should be able to recoup 80 percent of its battery charge in 30mins.

It also promises to be fast. Despite measuring almost five-metres in length, and weighing in at several tonnes, Kia promises it will be able to clip 100km/h in just five seconds.

How much of the concept car will make the production model remains to be seen, including the hood-mounted solar panel, the pop-up steering wheel and the 27.0-inch in-cabin display. But one thing is seems clear, all will be revealed soon enough.