Kia EV9 vs Volvo EX40

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volvo EX40 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 Volvo EX40 gets a 9-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 Volvo EX40. The Volvo EX40 counters with head-up display and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia EV9 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volvo EX40 offers textile/leather blend. Climate control is 3-zone in the Kia EV9 and 2-zone in the Volvo EX40.

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 Volvo EX40 responds with a Electric making 185kW and 420Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The Volvo EX40 has the clear power advantage at 185kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo EX40 is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 76.1kWh (Kia EV9) vs 82kWh (Volvo EX40), giving WLTP ranges of 519km and 520km. DC fast charging peaks at 240kW (Kia EV9) vs 200kW (Volvo EX40).

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 570mm longer than the Volvo EX40 at 4,440mm (2,702mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 333L in the Kia EV9 and 536L in the Volvo EX40, giving the Volvo EX40 a 203L advantage. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volvo EX40 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 Volvo EX40'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 Volvo EX40 about $912 a year (19 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $130 a year less for the Volvo EX40.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX40).

Where each one leads

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

The Volvo EX40: the lower starting price ($69,990 against $97,000), more power (185kW against 160kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (536L against 333L), the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 900kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($912 a year against $1,042).

The Verdict

Volvo EX40 scores higher, 68 vs 67

The Volvo EX40 scores 68 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 11 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Kia EV9 ahead by 21 points), energy efficiency (Volvo EX40 ahead by 18 points), reliability (Kia EV9 ahead by 11 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Volvo EX40 costs about $130 less (19 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 333L in the Kia EV9, 536L in the Volvo EX40. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV9, 5 on the Volvo EX40.

Common questions