Verdict
At RM368,668, the Kia EV9 costs RM89,668 more than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, but it is a much larger 5,015-mm seven-seater with a 3,100-mm wheelbase. Its twin motors produce 380 hp and 700 Nm, backed by a 99.8-kWh battery, 505-km range and 350-kW DC charging. The Outback is the more sensible five-seat petrol long-distance load carrier: its 522-litre boot beats the EV9’s 333 litres, and its 63-litre tank avoids charging stops. EV9 road tax is lower too, at RM515 versus RM878 yearly.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, EV charging capability and far stronger 380-hp, 700-Nm all-wheel-drive performance.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a RM89,668-cheaper five-seat petrol wagon with a larger 522-litre boot and a 63-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Seating: Kia EV9 7 seats; Subaru Outback 5 seats.
- Power and torque: Kia EV9 380 hp and 700 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Dimensions: Kia EV9 5,015 mm long with a 3,100-mm wheelbase; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm long with a 2,745-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Annual road tax: Kia EV9 RM515; Subaru Outback RM878.
EV9
- Seven-seat cabin with third-row air vents.
- 505-km EV range, 350-kW DC charging and 3.6-kW V2L.
- Surround-view monitor, remote parking assist and head-up display.
- RM89,668 pricier than the Outback.
- 333-litre boot is 189 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
- No autonomous braking system is listed, while the Outback has one.
Outback
- RM89,668 lower purchase price.
- 522-litre boot and 63-litre petrol tank.
- Autonomous braking, front foglamps and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Only five seats versus the EV9’s seven.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm fall well short of the EV9’s 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- Higher RM878 annual road tax and no EV range, V2L or DC-charging capability.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| 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 | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver 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 for Two Rear Passenger 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 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 | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 | — |
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 & Outback for sale
EV9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Subaru Outback better?
The EV9 is better for a large family needing seven seats, 505 km of electric range and 700 Nm. The Outback is better if five seats suffice and you prioritise a RM89,668 lower price, a 522-litre boot and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the EV9 is RM89,668 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot, the Kia EV9 or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres, compared with 333 litres in the Kia EV9. The Outback therefore carries 189 litres more luggage behind its five seats.