Kia EV9 vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
The Kia EV9 is the bigger, pricier electric SUV: RM368,668 versus RM280,390, an RM88,278 gap. For that it gives seven seats, AWD dual-motor drive, 380 hp and a 99.8 kWh battery with 505 km range, plus a much longer 3,100 mm wheelbase. The Subaru Outback is a five-seat petrol wagon with AWD, a 2,498 cc engine, 185 hp and a CVT. It counters with a 522 L boot and AEB listed, while the EV9’s 333 L boot makes most sense if the extra seats matter.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want seven seats, electric drive, 380 hp and a 505 km EV range, and can live with the higher price and smaller listed boot.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a cheaper AWD petrol wagon with five seats, a 522 L boot and auto emergency braking listed.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Seats: Kia EV9 7; Subaru Outback 5
- Powertrain: Kia EV9 electric dual motor; Subaru Outback 2,498 cc petrol engine
- Power: Kia EV9 380 hp; Subaru Outback 185 hp
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 L; Subaru Outback 522 L
- Road tax: Kia EV9 RM515/year; Subaru Outback RM878/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,668 | RM 280,390✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Dual motor | 2,498 cc |
| Power | 380 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 9.6 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 99.8 kWh | — |
| EV range | 505 km | — |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 333 L | 522 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 515✓ | RM 878 |
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.
EV9
- Seven seats versus five
- 380 hp dual-motor AWD
- 99.8 kWh battery with 505 km range
- RM88,278 dearer
- 333 L boot trails the Outback’s 522 L
- Auto emergency braking not listed
Outback
- Lower RM280,390 price
- Larger 522 L boot
- Auto emergency braking listed
- Only five seats
- 185 hp is far below the EV9’s 380 hp
- Higher RM878 yearly road tax
EV9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Subaru Outback better?
The Kia EV9 is better for seven-seat electric use and power, with 380 hp and 505 km range. The Subaru Outback is better for lower purchase price, boot space and petrol convenience.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668, while the Subaru Outback costs RM280,390. That makes the EV9 RM88,278 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 L. The Kia EV9 is physically bigger and has seven seats, but its listed boot space is 333 L.