Kia EV6 vs Kia EV9

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV6 at 5 stars (2022) and the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 90% for the Kia EV6 and 84% for the Kia EV9, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV9, against 5 on the Kia EV6.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia EV6 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 Kia EV6 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-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 Kia EV9 counters with heated front seats, ventilated seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Kia EV6 uses a Electric producing 168kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.7 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 Kia EV6 has the clear power advantage at 168kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV6 is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 84kWh (Kia EV6) vs 76.1kWh (Kia EV9), giving WLTP ranges of 582km and 519km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV6) vs 240kW (Kia EV9).

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV6 measures 4,695mm long on a 2,900mm wheelbase, 315mm 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 490L in the Kia EV6 and 333L in the Kia EV9, giving the Kia EV6 a 157L advantage. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Kia EV6 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 900kg 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 Kia EV6's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 11.6 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 Kia EV6 costs about $763 a year (15.9 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 $279 a year less for the Kia EV6.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV6) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV6: the lower starting price ($72,660 against $97,000), more power (168kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (490L against 333L), the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 900kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($763 a year against $1,042).

The Kia EV9: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Kia EV6.

The Verdict

Kia EV6 scores higher, 78 vs 67

The Kia EV6 scores 78 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 8 of the 8 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Kia EV6 ahead by 39 points), technology (Kia EV6 ahead by 11 points), value (Kia EV6 ahead by 10 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV6 costs about $279 less (15.9 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 490L in the Kia EV6, 333L in the Kia EV9.

Common questions