Mercedes-Benz EQC vs Kia EV9
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. 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
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
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.
Mercedes-Benz EQC: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 7 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
No price
- no option data for this car
$97,000RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz EQC's standard kit: $97,000 (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.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Kia EV9 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 96% for the Mercedes-Benz EQC and 84% for the Kia EV9.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV9, against 0 on the Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz EQC
- REC-005807 · published 7 Nov 2023Due to a manufacturing issue, the headlamps may not be adjusted correctly.Year range on the notice: 2022
- REC-005545 · published 27 Oct 2022The vehicle jack provided with certain vehicles may be faulty and also may not meet the requirements of the Australian Consumer Product Safety Standard.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2022
- REC-005460 · published 9 Jun 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the headlights may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 5 more on the model page.
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
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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
80kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 110kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 110kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
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.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia EV9 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz EQC runs a pure electric powertrain producing 300kW and 760Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed direct drive to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds.
The Kia EV9 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has the clear power advantage at 300kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQC is 3.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 80kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQC) vs 76.1kWh (Kia EV9), giving WLTP ranges of 445km and 519km. DC fast charging peaks at 110kW (Mercedes-Benz EQC) vs 240kW (Kia EV9).
Space & Comfort
Boot space is 500L in the Mercedes-Benz EQC and 333L in the Kia EV9, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQC a 167L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m diameter
Average
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQC if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia EV9 if: You or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (50 vs 70). The Mercedes-Benz EQC and Kia EV9 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz EQC has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Kia EV9?
The Kia EV9 is the cheapest at $97,000 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has the most range at 445km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Kia EV9 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 240kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Mercedes-Benz EQC and Kia EV9 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has the largest boot at 500L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC makes the most power at 300kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is quickest to 100km/h in 5.1s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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