Kia EV9 vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023) and the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2024). 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 83% for the Subaru Forester, 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 9 in the Subaru Forester.

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 Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia EV9 stands out with ventilated seats, power tailgate and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia EV9 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the Kia EV9 and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.

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 Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Kia EV9 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 355mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 163L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 828L vs 1174L. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 900kg 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 Subaru Forester's turning circle is 1.2 m tighter, 10.8 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 fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

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

Where each one leads

The Kia EV9: more power (160kW against 136kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $97,000), the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 333L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 900kg).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 67

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Subaru Forester ahead by 11 points), practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 11 points). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 496L in the Subaru Forester. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Subaru Forester.

Common questions