Kia EV9 vs Nissan ARIYA

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023) and the Nissan ARIYA at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Kia EV9 and 86% for the Nissan ARIYA, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

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 7 in the Nissan ARIYA.

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 Nissan ARIYA gets a 12.3-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 Nissan ARIYA. The Nissan ARIYA counters with head-up display. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia EV9 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Nissan ARIYA offers nappa leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Kia EV9 and 2-zone in the Nissan ARIYA.

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 Nissan ARIYA responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.

Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan ARIYA is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 63kWh (Nissan ARIYA), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 385km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 130kW (Nissan ARIYA).

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 415mm longer than the Nissan ARIYA at 4,595mm (2,775mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 466L in the Nissan ARIYA, giving the Nissan ARIYA a 133L advantage. 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 Nissan ARIYA's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.5 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 EV9 costs about $1,042 a year (21.7 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Nissan ARIYA about $888 a year (18.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $154 a year less for the Nissan ARIYA.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Nissan ARIYA). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV9), 5 years (Nissan ARIYA).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV9: the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (900kg against 750kg).

The Nissan ARIYA: the lower starting price ($55,840 against $97,000), the bigger boot with the seats up (466L against 333L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($888 a year against $1,042).

The Verdict

Nissan ARIYA scores higher, 73 vs 67

The Nissan ARIYA scores 73 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 10 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 21 points), value (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 12 points), technology (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 11 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Nissan ARIYA costs about $154 less (18.5 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 466L in the Nissan ARIYA. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Nissan ARIYA.

Common questions