Verdict
At RM368,668, the EV9 costs RM61,220 less than the RZ yet brings seven seats, a 99.8-kWh battery and a claimed 505 km range. Its 350-kW DC ceiling gives it a clear charging advantage over the Lexus. The RZ answers with a 522-litre boot despite its smaller 4,805-mm body, lower RM335 annual road tax and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h claim. Choose by use: the Kia suits carrying people and longer EV trips; the Lexus suits five occupants who pack more luggage.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, 505 km of claimed range and 350 kW DC charging for less money.
Pick the Lexus RZ if five seats and its larger 522-litre boot matter more than the EV9’s extra range and seating.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Lexus RZ RM429,888.
- Battery and range: Kia EV9 99.8 kWh and 505 km; Lexus RZ 71.4 kWh and 440 km.
- DC charging: Kia EV9 350 kW; Lexus RZ 150 kW.
- Motor output: Kia EV9 380 hp and 700 Nm; Lexus RZ 308 hp and 435 Nm.
- Seating and boot: Kia EV9 seven seats and 333 litres; Lexus RZ five seats and 522 litres.
- Size and weight: Kia EV9 5,015 mm and 2,648 kg; Lexus RZ 4,805 mm and 2,125 kg.
EV9
- Seven seats instead of five
- 505 km claimed range from a 99.8-kWh battery
- 350 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L
- 333-litre boot is 189 litres smaller
- RM515 annual road tax versus RM335
- 523 kg heavier
RZ
- 522-litre boot
- RM335 annual road tax
- Eight-year unlimited-mileage EV battery warranty
- RM61,220 more expensive
- 440 km claimed range versus 505 km
- 150 kW DC charging versus 350 kW
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668✓ | RM429,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515 | RM335✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 380 hp✓ | 308 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 435 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 99.8 kWh✓ | 71.4 kWh |
| EV Range | 505 km✓ | 440 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW✓ | 150 kW |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,805 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 2,125 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| 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 Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 3 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C 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" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| 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 (with Smart Card Key) |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on 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 & RZ for sale
EV9 vs RZ FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Lexus RZ better?
The Kia EV9 is the better fit for seven occupants, longer claimed range and faster DC charging. The Lexus RZ is the better fit for five people needing a larger boot, lower road tax and unlimited-mileage battery cover.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RZ costs RM61,220 more than the Kia EV9.
Which one charges faster?
The Kia EV9 charges faster on DC, with a 350 kW maximum rate against the Lexus RZ’s 150 kW. Both have 11 kW AC charging.