Kia EV9 vs Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Kia EV9 scores higher, 67 vs 62
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
Top CarSorted Score, 67 vs 62
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
$225,900RRP
- with the Kia EV9's standard kit: $225,900 (nothing to add)
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 EQS SUV EQS 450 4MATIC SUV
$225,900
RRP when new; no longer sold new in Australia. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
The Kia EV9 starts $128,900 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 Kia EV9.
Finance
≈$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
We hold no ANCAP data for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
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 EQS 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 EQS 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
108.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW 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 EQS 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 V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQS 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 EQS SUV offers nappa leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Kia EV9 and 4-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQS 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 EQS SUV responds with a Electric making 265kW and 800Nm, paired to a 1 spd auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the clear power advantage at 265kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is 2.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 107.8kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 609km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 200kW (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 115mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV at 5,125mm (3,210mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV a 312L advantage. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 1,100kg 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 0.4 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.4 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 EQS SUV about $1,070 a year (22.3 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $28 a year less for the Kia EV9.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV9: the lower starting price ($97,000 against $225,900), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,042 a year against $1,070).
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: more power (265kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (645L against 333L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 900kg).
The Verdict
Kia EV9 scores higher, 67 vs 62
The Kia EV9 scores 67 to the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV's 62 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 12 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV ahead by 27 points), value (Kia EV9 ahead by 19 points), safety (Kia EV9 ahead by 17 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV9 costs about $28 less (21.7 kWh/100km against 22.3 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Ways to buy
For the Kia EV9.
Finance
≈$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 EQS SUV?
The Kia EV9 is the cheapest at $97,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV by $128,900.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the most range at 698km (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 (tested 2023). We hold no ANCAP data for Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, 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 EQS SUV has the largest boot at 645L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
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 EQS SUV makes the most power at 265kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the Kia EV9 & Mercedes-Benz EQS 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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