The 2026 Kia EV9 includes a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems designed to make every journey safer and more confident. From highway cruising to navigating busy parking lots, these technologies work quietly in the background to help protect you and your passengers. Understanding what comes standard can help you appreciate the full value of this three-row electric SUV.
Every 2026 EV9 trim - from the base Light RWD to the high-performance GT - includes a comprehensive collection of safety and driver assistance features. These systems use cameras, radar sensors, and sophisticated processing to monitor your surroundings and assist when needed.
Highway Driving Assist 2: Your Copilot on Long Drives
Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) is one of the most advanced cruise control systems available today. Standard across all EV9 trims, this technology pairs adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance to reduce driver fatigue on highway journeys.
HDA2 maintains your set speed and following distance from vehicles ahead, automatically adjusting to traffic flow. The system can bring the EV9 to a complete stop in heavy traffic and resume when traffic moves again. What sets HDA2 apart is its integration with the vehicle's navigation system - it can anticipate curves and adjust speed accordingly, making highway driving smoother and more predictable.
The system uses forward-facing cameras and radar sensors to track lane markings and surrounding vehicles. When activated, HDA2 provides gentle steering inputs to keep the EV9 centered in its lane, though drivers must keep their hands on the wheel at all times. The Hands-on Detection sensor ensures driver engagement, issuing warnings if it detects the steering wheel isn't being held.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Protection at Every Intersection
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist comes standard on every EV9 and includes several specialized detection capabilities. The system monitors the road ahead for potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, providing visual and audible warnings when hazards are detected.
Key features include:
- Junction Turning Function: Detects oncoming traffic when making left turns at intersections
- Lane-Change Oncoming Detection: Monitors for approaching vehicles during lane changes
- Lane-Change Side Detection: Watches for vehicles in adjacent lanes
- Junction Crossing Function: Recognizes potential cross-traffic collisions at intersections
If the system determines a collision is imminent and the driver hasn't responded, it can automatically apply the brakes to reduce impact severity or avoid the collision entirely. This multi-scenario protection provides peace of mind in complex driving situations where split-second decisions matter.
Lane Keeping and Following Assist: Staying Centered
The EV9 includes both Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA) as standard equipment. These complementary systems work together to help maintain proper lane position during highway and city driving.
Lane Keeping Assist uses a front-mounted camera to detect lane markings and provides steering corrections if the vehicle begins to drift without a turn signal activated. The system offers gentle guidance rather than aggressive intervention, allowing natural driving while preventing unintended lane departures.
Lane Following Assist takes this concept further by actively helping center the vehicle within its lane. When paired with Highway Driving Assist 2, LFA creates a semi-autonomous highway driving experience that reduces the constant minor steering adjustments typically required on long trips.
Blind-Spot Monitoring: Enhanced Awareness
Standard Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) uses radar sensors mounted in the rear bumper to monitor areas alongside and behind the EV9. When a vehicle enters your blind spot, visual indicators appear in the corresponding side mirror. If you activate your turn signal with a vehicle in the blind spot, the system provides additional audible warnings.
The collision-avoidance aspect goes beyond simple warnings. If the system detects you're attempting to change lanes when it's unsafe, it can apply selective braking to help guide the vehicle back into its original lane. This active intervention provides an extra layer of protection during highway merging and lane changes.
On the Land AWD trim and above, Blind-View Monitor (BVM) adds another dimension to blind-spot awareness. When you activate a turn signal, the corresponding blind spot appears on the instrument cluster screen, giving you a live camera view of the area you're about to enter.
Rear Cross-Traffic and Parking Assistance
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) comes standard on all EV9 models and proves particularly valuable in busy parking lots. The system uses the same rear-mounted radar sensors as blind-spot monitoring to detect vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists approaching from either side when you're reversing.
If cross-traffic is detected, you'll receive visual and audible warnings. Should you continue reversing toward the approaching object, the system can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision.
The Land AWD trim adds Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (Reverse) and Side parking sensors for additional low-speed protection. The GT-Line adds front parking collision-avoidance capability for complete 360-degree coverage during parking maneuvers.
Smart Cruise Control: Adaptive and Intelligent
Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go functionality serves as the foundation for the EV9's highway assistance features. This adaptive system maintains your set speed and automatically adjusts to match traffic flow, keeping a safe following distance from vehicles ahead.
The system can bring the EV9 to a complete stop in traffic and automatically resume when the vehicle ahead moves forward (if stopped for less than three seconds). For longer stops, a simple tap of the accelerator or resume button reactivates the system.
Following distance is adjustable through four settings, allowing you to customize the space maintained between your EV9 and the vehicle ahead. The system adapts its behavior based on your selected drive mode - Eco mode provides gentler acceleration, while Sport mode offers more responsive throttle application when resuming from stops.
Additional Safety Technologies
Beyond the primary ADAS features, every EV9 includes several supporting safety systems:
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist: Recognizes speed limit signs and displays current limits on the instrument cluster
- Driver Attention Warning: Monitors driving patterns and suggests breaks if signs of drowsiness are detected
- Safe Exit Assist: Prevents rear passengers from opening doors when vehicles or cyclists are approaching from behind
- Rear Occupant Alert: Reminds drivers to check rear seats before exiting, helping prevent children or pets from being left behind
- High Beam Assist: Automatically toggles between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic
Parking Made Simple
The EV9's standard rearview camera includes dynamic guidelines that adjust based on steering angle, making it easier to navigate tight spaces. Land AWD with Premium Package and above add Surround View Monitor (SVM), which provides a virtual bird's-eye view of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings using multiple cameras.
Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2) is standard on the GT-Line trim and included in the Land with Premium Package. This system allows the EV9 to park itself in parallel or perpendicular spaces while you stand outside the vehicle, controlling the process through the smart key.
Kia Connect Integration
All EV9 models include Kia Connect services for the first three years, adding remote capabilities that enhance both convenience and safety. The system provides Automatic Collision Notification, which can contact emergency services if the airbags deploy. SOS Emergency services allow you to manually request assistance at the touch of a button.
Through the Kia Connect smartphone app, you can remotely check vehicle status, including whether doors are locked and windows are closed. The Find My Car feature remembers your parking location and provides navigation back to your vehicle - particularly useful in large parking structures or unfamiliar areas.
What This Means for Drivers in Quebec
For families and professionals across Quebec, the EV9's comprehensive ADAS package delivers real value beyond the initial purchase. These systems work together to reduce driver fatigue on long highway trips, provide extra vigilance in busy urban environments, and offer peace of mind during daily commutes.
The technology proves particularly beneficial during winter driving conditions common throughout the province. While ADAS features don't replace winter tires or careful driving, systems like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Blind-Spot Monitoring provide additional awareness when visibility is compromised by snow or ice.
Understanding what comes standard helps you make an informed decision about which EV9 trim best suits your needs. Even the base Light RWD includes the full suite of essential ADAS features, while higher trims add convenience technologies like surround-view cameras and remote parking assistance.
Experience the Technology at Lallier Kia de Laval
The 2026 Kia EV9's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems deliver a safer and more confident driving experience for electric SUVs. From highway journeys to daily errands, these technologies work quietly to protect what matters most.
Schedule a test drive with our team at Lallier Kia de Laval to experience the EV9's ADAS features and see how they enhance your daily driving.
To learn more about the 2026 Kia EV9, visit Kia.ca
