KIA'S new ‘opposites united' design philosophy could have been rolled out specifically for the Korean brand's electric flagship model, the EV9.

Big and bold but at the same time refreshingly sophisticated, the EV9 is a premium SUV designed for both six and seven-seat configurations.

And for those opting for the former, the centre row seats swivel - so rear passengers can sit opposite each other during journeys or when parked up.

The EV9 certainly breaks new ground for Kia in that the company has never before produced a vehicle of this size. A car you simply can't miss, it's long, it's tall and it weighs in at 2.8 tonnes, yet still manages to maintain a semblance of slinky style.

Our model was from the middle of a three trim grade line-up comprising the rear-wheel drive entry level Air at £64,995, followed by GT-Line (£73,275) and GT-Line S at £75,995, the latter pair both having all-wheel drive.

These are price points way beyond anything you would found from Kia just a few years ago and thankfully buyers will get plenty of metal for the money - and a shedload of tech too.

Inside the minimalist if classy cabin there's genuine space for seven with even the third row pair of individual seats large enough to accommodate six-foot adults.

Those up front are treated to soft, perforated, heated and multi-adjustable two-tone leather seats with GT-Line embossed into the upper section, while head and legroom is top notch.

And even with all the seats in place there's still a reasonable 333 litres of room in the boot. Drop down all the rear seats and the space becomes cavernous at 2,318 litres - and of course there's also the ‘frunk' or front boot for extra items - like charging cables.

Centrepiece of the cabin is a 12.3-inch infotainment system plus a hi-res digital cluster of the same size and a smaller climate control screen, all of which blend into one horizontal touchscreen that stretches more than half the length of the dashboard.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard as well as Bluetooth pairing for two phones and there are also USB-C charging sockets in every row as well as a smartphone charging pad up front.

There are also features like an eight-speaker sound system, ambient lighting, a digital key, 21-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree surround view monitor, front and rear parking sensors plus a full suite of safety gear.

Driving the EV9 is an enjoyable experience despite the size of the car. It isn't designed to feel sporty, even if there's an acceleration figure of 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds plus a handy 378bhp on tap, and behaves in a composed, smooth and planted manner.

Four driving modes can be engaged to suit driver preferences - Eco for maximising efficiency, Sport for more immediate performance, Normal to strike a balance between the former two and My Drive for personal elements.

GT-Line variants also have Terrain Mode with dedicated Mud, Snow and Sand settings for better traction.

A raised driving position ensures a clear view ahead and to the side while large wing mirrors aid rear visibility, which is just as well because the car's design means you can't see much over your right shoulder.

As for range, a powerful battery means GT-Line models are good for 313 miles on a full charge and those favouring the rear-wheel drive variant do even better at an official 349 miles.

And as one of only a handful of vehicles available with 800-volt charging capability, the big Kia can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 24 minutes.

Well equipped, extremely capable and very adventurous, the EV9 has all the credentials to do well.