Kia EV9 vs Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV scores higher, 70 vs 67
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
Kia EV9
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$97,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 21.7 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 333L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
25 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 no dataFrom
$134,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 180kW
- Energy use
- 17.9 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 520L
Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 67, but the Kia EV9 is $37,900 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$97,000RRP
- cannot be matched: Head-Up Display not offered
$134,900RRP
- 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.
Price and cost per week
Kia EV9 Air RWD
$97,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $425 a week in repayments ($97,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV EQE 300 SUV
$134,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $601 a week in repayments ($134,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia EV9 starts $37,900 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$425/wk(≈$1,843/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV9 at $97,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV9Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
Both the Kia EV9 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2023. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Kia EV9 and 87% for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, 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 Kia EV9 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Kia EV9 and 8 on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
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.
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 EQE SUV
None open 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.
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
90.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 170kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 170kW 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 EQE SUV gets a 12.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV9 stands out with ventilated seats and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, Burmester 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 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV offers artico man-made leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Kia EV9 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 EQE SUV responds with a Electric making 180kW and 550Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has the clear power advantage at 180kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 90.6kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 586km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 170kW (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 147mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV at 4,863mm (3,030mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 520L in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV a 187L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 828L vs 1675L. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Kia EV9 leads with a 900kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 150kg 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 0.3 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.3 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 electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV about $859 a year (17.9 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $183 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV9), 5 years (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV9: the lower starting price ($97,000 against $134,900), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (900kg against 750kg).
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: more power (180kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 333L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($859 a year against $1,042).
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV scores higher, 70 vs 67
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV scores 70 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 11 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 25 points), value (Kia EV9 ahead by 14 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ahead by 14 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV costs about $183 less (17.9 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 520L in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$425/wk(≈$1,843/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV9 at $97,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV9Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia EV9 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV?
The Kia EV9 is the cheapest at $97,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV by $37,900.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has the most range at 586km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Kia EV9 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 240kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Kia EV9 and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV all hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2023). Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has the largest boot at 520L with the seats up (1,675L with the seats folded).
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV9 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV makes the most power at 180kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is quickest to 100km/h in 7.3s.
Track the Kia EV9 & Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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