Kia EV9 vs Polestar 3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Polestar 3 scores higher, 73 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.
Polestar 3
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$116,700
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 245kW
- Energy use
- 17.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 597L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 67, but the Kia EV9 is $19,700 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
$116,700RRP
- with the Kia EV9's standard kit: $116,700 (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.
Polestar 3 Rear Motor
$116,700
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 1 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $516 a week in repayments ($116,700 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 $19,700 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
ANCAP lists the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023) and the Polestar 3 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2025). 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 90% for the Polestar 3, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Polestar 3, 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 Polestar 3.
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 10 on the Polestar 3.
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
Polestar 3
- REC-006379 · published 16 Jul 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, moisture may enter the bumper wiring harness causing corrosion.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
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
92kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 310kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 310kW 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 Polestar 3 gets a 14.5-inch display and 9-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 Polestar 3. The Polestar 3 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, Bowers & Wilkins audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Polestar 3 responds with a Electric Motor making 245kW and 480Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The Polestar 3 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 3 is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 92kWh (Polestar 3), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 603km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 310kW (Polestar 3).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 110mm longer than the Polestar 3 at 4,900mm (2,985mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 597L in the Polestar 3, giving the Polestar 3 a 264L advantage. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Polestar 3 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 600kg 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 Polestar 3's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 11.8 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 Polestar 3 about $845 a year (17.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $197 a year less for the Polestar 3.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 3).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV9: the lower starting price ($97,000 against $116,700) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Polestar 3: more power (245kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (597L against 333L), the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 900kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($845 a year against $1,042).
The Verdict
Polestar 3 scores higher, 73 vs 67
The Polestar 3 scores 73 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 8 of the 11 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Polestar 3 ahead by 27 points), performance (Polestar 3 ahead by 20 points), reliability (Kia EV9 ahead by 13 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 3 costs about $197 less (17.6 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 597L in the Polestar 3. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Polestar 3.
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 Polestar 3?
The Kia EV9 is the cheapest at $97,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 3 by $19,700.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 3 has the most range at 603km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 310kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV9 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023) and Polestar 3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Polestar 3 has the largest boot at 597L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV9 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 3 makes the most power at 245kW. The Polestar 3 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.5s.
Track the Kia EV9 & Polestar 3
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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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