Verdict
The Kia EV9 costs RM87,218 more than the Mazda CX-9, but it is the more capable family EV on paper: its two motors produce 380 hp and 700 Nm, the 99.8-kWh battery is rated for 505 km, and 350-kW DC charging is available. It also gives seven occupants a longer 3,100-mm wheelbase and a 333-litre boot. The CX-9 remains the lower-entry seven-seat choice at RM281,450, with a 228-hp/420-Nm 2.5-litre turbo petrol motor, 72-litre tank and 8.98 L/100 km rated economy. Its RM830 annual road tax is RM315 higher than the EV9’s RM515.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you can use EV charging and want 505 km of rated range, 700 Nm, a 333-litre boot and substantially more driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mazda CX-9 if RM281,450 is the budget ceiling and a 72-litre petrol tank suits your long-distance routine better than charging.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Mazda CX-9 RM281,450.
- Power and torque: Kia EV9 dual motors make 380 hp and 700 Nm; Mazda CX-9’s 2.5-litre turbo makes 228 hp and 420 Nm.
- Energy and range: Kia EV9 has a 99.8-kWh battery with 505 km range; Mazda CX-9 has a 72-litre petrol tank and 8.98 L/100 km rated economy.
- Wheelbase and boot: Kia EV9 measures 3,100 mm between the axles with 333 litres of boot space; Mazda CX-9 has a 2,930-mm wheelbase and 230-litre boot.
- Road tax: Kia EV9 RM515 per year; Mazda CX-9 RM830 per year.
- Warranty mileage: Kia EV9 5 years/150,000 km plus an 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty; Mazda CX-9 5 years/100,000 km.
EV9
- 505 km rated EV range and 350-kW DC charging
- 380 hp and 700 Nm with all-wheel drive
- 333-litre boot, surround-view camera and remote parking assist
- RM87,218 more expensive than the Mazda CX-9
- 2,648 kg kerb weight versus the CX-9’s 1,854 kg
- Tyre repair kit instead of the CX-9’s space-saver spare
CX-9
- RM87,218 lower purchase price
- 72-litre petrol tank and 8.98 L/100 km rated economy
- Space-saver spare tyre and front foglamps
- 230-litre boot is 103 litres smaller than the EV9’s
- 228 hp and 420 Nm trail the EV9’s 380 hp and 700 Nm
- Passive cruise control and reverse camera, where the EV9 gets adaptive cruise with steering assist and a surround-view monitor
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668 | RM281,450✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, turbocharged |
| Capacity | — | 2,488 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 228 hp |
| Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 380 hp✓ | — |
| Motor Torque | 700 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 | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 8.98 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 5,075 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,969 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,930 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 1,854 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 72 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres✓ | 230 litres |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 255/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Falken Ziex CT50 A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Automatic For Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row | Available for second row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver |
| 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 Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | — |
| 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 | — |
| 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, 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 with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 2 USB charging ports in rear centre armrest |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery | 3-year/60,000 km free service |
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 & CX-9 for sale
EV9 vs CX-9 FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Mazda CX-9 better?
The EV9 is better equipped for seven-seat family use, with 505 km rated range, 333 litres of luggage space, all-wheel drive and more advanced parking and cruise functions. The CX-9 is the better pick only if its RM87,218 lower price and petrol refuelling suit you.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668 and the Mazda CX-9 costs RM281,450, so the EV9 carries an RM87,218 premium.
Which has the longer warranty cover?
Both have a five-year manufacturer warranty, but the EV9 extends mileage cover to 150,000 km against the CX-9’s 100,000 km. Its battery also has separate eight-year/160,000-km coverage.