Kia EV9 vs Land Rover Defender 130

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Land Rover Defender 130 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 EV9 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Land Rover Defender 130 gets a 11.4-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia EV9 stands out with ventilated seats, power tailgate and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with Meridian audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia EV9 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Land Rover Defender 130 offers leather.

Drivetrain

The Kia EV9 uses a Electric producing 160kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender 130 responds with a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 257kW and 700Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender 130 has the clear power advantage at 257kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender 130 is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 89mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender 130 at 5,099mm (3,022mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 2,100kg 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 Kia EV9's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.8 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 EV9 costs about $1,042 a year (21.7 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Land Rover Defender 130 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender 130). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV9), 5 years (Land Rover Defender 130).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV9: the lower starting price ($97,000 against $136,000) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Land Rover Defender 130: more power (257kW against 160kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,000kg against 900kg).

The Verdict

Kia EV9 scores higher, 67 vs 64

The Kia EV9 scores 67 to the Land Rover Defender 130's 64 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Kia EV9 ahead by 23 points), performance (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 23 points). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Land Rover Defender 130.

Common questions