Verdict
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690 to the Kia EV9’s RM368,668, but their Malaysian running costs are far apart: annual road tax is RM9,140 versus RM515. The Denza turns that near-identical purchase price into 1,140 hp, a 122.49-kWh battery and 600 km of range, against 380 hp, 99.8 kWh and 505 km. But the EV9 is the practical family choice with seven seats, while the Denza has five and a larger 495-litre boot. Choose the Denza for pace and touring range; choose the Kia for extra passengers and far lower road tax.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if 1,140 hp, 600 km of EV range, a 495-litre boot and air suspension matter more than seven seats and low annual road tax.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats and can save RM8,625 a year in road tax while paying virtually the same purchase price.
Key differences
- Motor output: Denza Z9 GT 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm; Kia EV9 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- Battery and range: Denza Z9 GT 122.49 kWh and 600 km; Kia EV9 99.8 kWh and 505 km.
- Seats and boot: Denza Z9 GT five seats and 495 litres; Kia EV9 seven seats and 333 litres.
- Road tax: Denza Z9 GT RM9,140 per year; Kia EV9 RM515 per year.
- DC charging rate: Denza Z9 GT 1,500 kW; Kia EV9 350 kW.
- Warranty: Denza Z9 GT six years/150,000 km; Kia EV9 five years/150,000 km.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm from three motors.
- 122.49-kWh battery with 600 km range.
- 495-litre boot, powered rear seats and dual-chamber air suspension.
- RM9,140 annual road tax versus the EV9’s RM515.
- Five seats versus seven in the EV9.
- 2,895 kg kerb weight versus 2,648 kg.
EV9
- Seven seats with second- and third-row ISOFIX outer-seat positions.
- RM515 annual road tax.
- Split-folding second and third rows, plus a tyre repair kit.
- 505 km range trails the Z9 GT’s 600 km.
- 380 hp and 700 Nm are well below the Z9 GT’s 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- No autonomous braking system is listed, while the Z9 GT has one.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690 | RM368,668✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | RM515✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 3 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp✓ | 380 hp |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm✓ | 700 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh✓ | 99.8 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km✓ | 505 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW✓ | 350 kW |
| V2L | 4 kW | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 2.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,980 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | 2,648 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres✓ | 333 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Continental PremiumContact C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Automatic For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | All Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage Battery Warranty | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Z9 GT & EV9 for sale
Z9 GT vs EV9 FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or Kia EV9 better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for performance, range and boot capacity, with 1,140 hp, 600 km and 495 litres. The Kia EV9 is better for a larger family, providing seven seats and much lower RM515 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM22 more than the Kia EV9. That tiny purchase-price gap is outweighed by the Denza’s RM8,625 higher annual road tax.
Which one has more seats?
The Kia EV9 has seven seats, two more than the five-seat Denza Z9 GT. It also has folding second- and third-row seats, though its 333-litre boot is smaller than the Denza’s 495 litres.