Kia EV9 vs Mercedes-Benz EQA
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 12 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$97,000RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz EQA's standard kit: $97,000 (nothing to add)
$89,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Kia EV9 starts from $97,000 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA opens at $89,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz EQA the more affordable entry point by $7,100.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $106,700 and $98,890 respectively.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia EV9 does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Kia EV9
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006250 · published 22 Jan 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicles may have been assembled with missing seat mounting bolts.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006126 · published 22 Oct 2024Due to a software issue, the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
Mercedes-Benz EQA
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006475 · published 10 Nov 2025The high voltage battery may short circuit if charged over 80 percent capacity.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
99.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 240kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 240kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
66.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia EV9 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV9 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQA. The Mercedes-Benz EQA counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Mercedes-Benz EQA responds with a Electric making 140kW and 385Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.
The Kia EV9 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV9 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 70.5kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQA), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 480km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 100kW (Mercedes-Benz EQA).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 547mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz EQA at 4,463mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQA a 7L advantage. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQA leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 900kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 12.0m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV9) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz EQA). The Kia EV9 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia EV9 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQA if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia EV9: Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 67, but the Mercedes-Benz EQA is $7,100 cheaper
The Kia EV9 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (70 vs 67), taking 8 of 11 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: energy efficiency (Mercedes-Benz EQA ahead by 32), safety (Kia EV9 ahead by 25), reliability (Kia EV9 ahead by 11). The Kia EV9 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia EV9 and Mercedes-Benz EQA?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the cheapest at $89,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV9 by $7,100.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has the most range at 496km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Kia EV9 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 240kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV9 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mercedes-Benz EQA, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has the largest boot at 340L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV9 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV9 makes the most power at 160kW. The Kia EV9 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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