Verdict
For Malaysian families, the Kia EV9 is the proper seven-seat choice: its 5,015 mm length and 3,100 mm wheelbase support a third row, while the 99.8-kWh battery has a quoted 505 km range. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is 299 mm shorter, seats five and provides 620 litres of boot space against the EV9’s 333 litres. The GLC is easier to place and better for luggage, but the EV9’s 350-kW DC charging and 3.6-kW V2L suit larger households that can charge regularly.
EV9
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, a quoted 505 km EV range and 350-kW DC charging.
GLC
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if five seats are enough and its 620-litre boot matters more than a third row.
Key differences
- Length: Kia EV9 5,015 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLC 4,716 mm.
- Wheelbase: Kia EV9 3,100 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLC 2,888 mm.
- Seating: Kia EV9 7 seats; Mercedes-Benz GLC 5 seats.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Top speed: Kia EV9 200 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLC 221 km/h.
- Warranty: Kia EV9 5 years/150,000 km; Mercedes-Benz GLC 4 years/unlimited mileage.
EV9
- Seven seats, with ISOFIX on the outer second- and third-row seats.
- 99.8-kWh battery, 505 km quoted range and 350-kW DC charging.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and steering assist, plus a head-up display.
- 333-litre boot is 287 litres smaller than the GLC’s.
- 200 km/h top speed is 21 km/h lower than the GLC’s.
- Manufacturer warranty is capped at 150,000 km, while the GLC’s has unlimited mileage.
GLC
- 620-litre boot space.
- 221 km/h top speed.
- Autonomous braking, built-in navigation and unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- Five seats versus the EV9’s seven.
- No quoted EV range, battery capacity or AC/DC charging rate.
- Passive cruise control rather than the EV9’s adaptive stop-and-go system with steering assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668 | RM329,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 380 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 205 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 | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| 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, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 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 Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree 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✓ | 4 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 & GLC for sale
EV9 vs GLC FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The EV9 is better for seven-seat family use and electric driving, with 505 km of quoted range. The GLC is better if you need a five-seat SUV with a much larger 620-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM38,780 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Which has more luggage space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC does, with 620 litres versus the Kia EV9’s 333 litres. The EV9 trades luggage volume for its third-row seating.