Kia EV9 vs Volkswagen ID.5

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023) and the Volkswagen ID.5 at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2021). 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 93% for the Volkswagen ID.5, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV9, against 6 on the Volkswagen ID.5.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia EV9 and 6 in the Volkswagen ID.5.

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 Volkswagen ID.5 gets a 12.9-inch display and 5.3-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 Volkswagen ID.5. The Volkswagen ID.5 counters with 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 Volkswagen ID.5 offers cloth.

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 Volkswagen ID.5 responds with a Electric making 210kW and 545Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.

The Volkswagen ID.5 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volkswagen ID.5 is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 77kWh (Volkswagen ID.5), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 544km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 175kW (Volkswagen ID.5).

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 426mm longer than the Volkswagen ID.5 at 4,584mm (2,769mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 549L in the Volkswagen ID.5, giving the Volkswagen ID.5 a 216L advantage. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volkswagen ID.5 leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 900kg. That 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 Volkswagen ID.5's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.4 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 Volkswagen ID.5 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $245 a year less for the Volkswagen ID.5.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volkswagen ID.5).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV9: the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Volkswagen ID.5: the lower starting price ($62,990 against $97,000), more power (210kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (549L against 333L), the higher braked towing limit (1,000kg against 900kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($797 a year against $1,042).

The Verdict

Volkswagen ID.5 scores higher, 76 vs 67

The Volkswagen ID.5 scores 76 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 8 of the 12 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 34 points), performance (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 15 points), reliability (Kia EV9 ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Volkswagen ID.5 costs about $245 less (16.6 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 549L in the Volkswagen ID.5. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Volkswagen ID.5.

Common questions