Verdict
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668 to the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV’s RM398,888, and the RM30,220 gap buys seven seats, all-wheel drive and 350 kW DC charging rather than five seats, rear-wheel drive and 170 kW. Its 99.8 kWh battery is larger too, but the EQE SUV travels farther at 596 km versus 505 km and has a 520-litre boot against 333 litres. For Malaysian families, the EV9’s 3,100 mm wheelbase, third-row air vents and V2L are hard advantages. The EQE SUV counters with lower RM305 annual road tax, 22 kW AC charging and a 10-year/250,000 km battery warranty.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, 350 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV if a 596 km range, 520-litre boot, 22 kW AC charging and lower annual road tax matter more than a third row.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV RM398,888.
- Seating: Kia EV9 7 seats; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 5 seats.
- EV range: Kia EV9 505 km; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 596 km.
- Battery and DC charging: Kia EV9 99.8 kWh and 350 kW; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 90.6 kWh and 170 kW.
- Driveline and output: Kia EV9 AWD with 380 hp/700 Nm; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV RWD with 288 hp/565 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 520 litres.
EV9
- Seven seats with third-row air vents and second/third-row ISOFIX.
- 380 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 350 kW DC charging plus 3.6 kW V2L.
- 505 km range is 91 km short of the EQE SUV’s 596 km.
- 333-litre boot is 187 litres smaller than the EQE SUV’s 520 litres.
- 11 kW AC charging and RM515 annual road tax trail the EQE SUV’s 22 kW and RM305.
EQE SUV
- 596 km claimed range and a 520-litre boot.
- 22 kW AC charging and RM305 annual road tax.
- 10-year/250,000 km battery warranty, plus ventilated front seats and adaptive high beam.
- Five seats cannot match the EV9’s seven-seat layout.
- 170 kW DC charging is well below the EV9’s 350 kW rate.
- Rear-wheel drive, 288 hp and 565 Nm trail the EV9’s AWD, 380 hp and 700 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668✓ | RM398,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 380 hp✓ | 288 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 565 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 99.8 kWh✓ | 90.6 kWh |
| EV Range | 505 km | 596 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW✓ | 170 kW |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,863 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,940 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,685 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 3,030 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 2,560 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| 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 | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active 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 | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround 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 & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery | 10-year/250,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & EQE SUV for sale
EV9 vs EQE SUV FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV better?
The EV9 is the better family tool with seven seats, AWD, V2L and 350 kW DC charging. Choose the EQE SUV for its 596 km range, larger 520-litre boot, 22 kW AC charging and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV costs RM30,220 more than the Kia EV9.
Which one charges faster?
The Kia EV9 has the higher DC charging rate at 350 kW versus 170 kW, while the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV leads on AC charging at 22 kW versus 11 kW. The EV9 also supplies up to 3.6 kW through V2L.