Kia EV9 vs Volkswagen Tayron

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023) and the Volkswagen Tayron 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 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Volkswagen Tayron, 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 Volkswagen Tayron.

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 Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia EV9 stands out with heated front seats, ventilated seats and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Tayron. The Volkswagen Tayron 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 Tayron 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 Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels.

The Kia EV9 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 110kW. 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, 218mm longer than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the Volkswagen Tayron a 12L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 828L vs 1905L.

For towing, the Volkswagen Tayron 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 Kia EV9's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.1 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 Volkswagen Tayron about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

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

Where each one leads

The Kia EV9: more power (160kW against 110kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Volkswagen Tayron: the lower starting price ($48,290 against $97,000), the bigger boot with the seats up (345L against 333L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 900kg).

The Verdict

Volkswagen Tayron scores higher, 73 vs 67

The Volkswagen Tayron scores 73 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: reliability (Kia EV9 ahead by 12 points), practicality (Volkswagen Tayron ahead by 9 points). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Volkswagen Tayron.

Common questions