Verdict
The Kia EV9 costs RM27,220 less at RM368,668 yet brings seven seats, a 99.8-kWh battery and 505 km of EV range. Its 3,100-mm wheelbase is 410 mm longer than the Lexus NX’s, so it is the clear choice for buyers regularly carrying a full family. The Lexus is the smaller, lighter SUV at 1,765 kg and has a much larger 520-litre boot, but only five seats. It also carries RM830 annual road tax against the EV9’s RM515.
EV9
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, 505 km electric range and 350-kW DC charging for less money.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if a 520-litre boot, smaller 4,660-mm footprint and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty matter more than third-row seating.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Lexus NX RM395,888.
- Seats: Kia EV9 7; Lexus NX 5.
- EV battery and range: Kia EV9 99.8 kWh and 505 km; Lexus NX has no quoted battery capacity or EV range.
- Length and wheelbase: Kia EV9 5,015 mm and 3,100 mm; Lexus NX 4,660 mm and 2,690 mm.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Lexus NX 520 litres.
- Annual road tax: Kia EV9 RM515; Lexus NX RM830.
EV9
- Seven seats with second- and third-row ISOFIX
- 99.8-kWh battery, 505 km range and 350-kW DC charging
- Remote Parking Assist and 3.6-kW V2L
- 333-litre boot is 187 litres smaller than the Lexus NX’s
- 2,648 kg kerb weight is 883 kg higher
- Five-year manufacturer warranty is capped at 150,000 km
NX
- 520-litre boot
- Unlimited-mileage five-year manufacturer warranty
- Autonomous braking and built-in navigation
- Costs RM27,220 more
- Only five seats versus the EV9’s seven
- No quoted EV range, DC charging rate or V2L capability
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668✓ | RM395,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | — | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 184 hp |
| Torque | — | 221 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 380 hp✓ | 133 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 208 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 99.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 505 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Automatic For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | 3 LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 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 EV9 & NX for sale
EV9 vs NX FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Lexus NX better?
The EV9 is better for a larger family: it has seven seats, 505 km of EV range and a 3,100-mm wheelbase. The NX suits buyers needing a five-seat SUV with a 520-litre boot and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM395,888 and the Kia EV9 costs RM368,668, a difference of RM27,220. The EV9 also has lower quoted annual road tax, at RM515 versus RM830.
Which has the larger boot?
The Lexus NX has the larger quoted boot at 520 litres, against 333 litres for the Kia EV9. The Kia counters with two extra seats and a third-row air-conditioning vent.