CUPRA Tavascan vs Kia EV9

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the CUPRA Tavascan at 4 stars (2024) and the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the CUPRA Tavascan and 84% for the Kia EV9, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the CUPRA Tavascan, against 7 on the Kia EV9.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the CUPRA Tavascan and 7 in the Kia EV9.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The CUPRA Tavascan features a 15-inch touchscreen paired with a 5.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV9 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The CUPRA Tavascan stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV9. The Kia EV9 counters with ventilated seats and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the CUPRA Tavascan gets cloth upholstery while the Kia EV9 offers synthetic leather.

Drivetrain

The CUPRA Tavascan uses a Electric Motor producing 210kW and 545Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds.

The Kia EV9 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.

The CUPRA Tavascan has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the CUPRA Tavascan is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 77kWh (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 76.1kWh (Kia EV9), giving WLTP ranges of 531km and 519km. DC fast charging peaks at 135kW (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 240kW (Kia EV9).

Space & Comfort

The CUPRA Tavascan measures 4,644mm long on a 2,766mm wheelbase, 366mm shorter than the Kia EV9 at 5,010mm (3,100mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 540L in the CUPRA Tavascan and 333L in the Kia EV9, giving the CUPRA Tavascan a 207L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1550L vs 828L. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the CUPRA Tavascan leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the CUPRA Tavascan's turning circle is 1.8 m tighter, 10.2 m against 12.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the CUPRA Tavascan costs about $888 a year (18.5 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV9 about $1,042 a year (21.7 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $154 a year less for the CUPRA Tavascan.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (CUPRA Tavascan) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9).

Where each one leads

The CUPRA Tavascan: the lower starting price ($66,490 against $97,000), more power (210kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (540L against 333L), the higher braked towing limit (1,000kg against 900kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($888 a year against $1,042).

The Kia EV9: the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Verdict

CUPRA Tavascan scores higher, 72 vs 67

The CUPRA Tavascan scores 72 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 11 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (CUPRA Tavascan ahead by 21 points), performance (CUPRA Tavascan ahead by 15 points), reliability (Kia EV9 ahead by 13 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the CUPRA Tavascan costs about $154 less (18.5 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 540L in the CUPRA Tavascan, 333L in the Kia EV9. Warranty: 5 years on the CUPRA Tavascan, 7 on the Kia EV9.

Common questions