Verdict
The RM77,656 gap separates two very different D-segment choices. The Kia EV9 is the family-first pick: seven seats, a 99.8-kWh battery, 505 km of stated range and 350-kW DC charging give it a job the five-seat Volkswagen Arteon cannot do. Its 3,100-mm wheelbase is 263 mm longer, although the Arteon’s 563-litre boot beats the EV9’s 333 litres. The Volkswagen is lighter by 1,048 kg, reaches 250 km/h and has a lower RM372 annual road tax, but it uses petrol at a rated 7.4 L/100 km.
EV9
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, EV driving with 505 km of stated range, and 350-kW DC charging.
Arteon
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you want the lower-cost five-seat option with a 563-litre boot, 250 km/h top speed and 7.4 L/100 km rated economy.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012.
- Seating: Kia EV9 7 seats; Volkswagen Arteon 5 seats.
- Energy: Kia EV9 has a 99.8-kWh battery and 505 km range; Volkswagen Arteon has a 66-litre petrol tank and 7.4 L/100 km rated economy.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Volkswagen Arteon 563 litres.
- Dimensions: Kia EV9 wheelbase 3,100 mm and weight 2,648 kg; Volkswagen Arteon wheelbase 2,837 mm and weight 1,600 kg.
- Top speed: Kia EV9 200 km/h; Volkswagen Arteon 250 km/h.
EV9
- Seven seats with ISOFIX on the second- and third-row outer seats.
- 99.8-kWh battery, 505 km stated range and 350-kW DC charging.
- Standard 14-speaker Meridian audio, head-up display and remote parking assist.
- RM77,656 more expensive than the Arteon.
- 333-litre boot is 230 litres smaller than the Arteon’s.
- No autonomous braking system is listed, while the Arteon has it.
Arteon
- RM77,656 lower purchase price and RM372 annual road tax.
- 563-litre boot and a full-size 19-inch alloy spare wheel.
- 250 km/h top speed, adaptive dampers and autonomous emergency braking.
- Only five seats versus the EV9’s seven.
- No battery range, DC charging or 3.6-kW vehicle-to-load function.
- No panoramic glass roof, head-up display or remote parking assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668 | RM291,012✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515 | RM372✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 276 hp |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.6 |
| 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 563 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 245/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-Size 19" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| 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 | — |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 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 | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-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 |
| 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 with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist | — |
| 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 | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 years/160,000 km for EV battery | 3-year/45,000 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 & Arteon for sale
EV9 vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The Kia EV9 is better for carrying up to seven people and for EV use, with 505 km of stated range. The Volkswagen Arteon is better if five seats suffice and you prioritise a 563-litre boot, lower road tax and a lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM77,656 more than the Volkswagen Arteon.
Which has the larger boot, Kia EV9 or Volkswagen Arteon?
The Volkswagen Arteon has the larger boot at 563 litres, against 333 litres in the Kia EV9. The EV9 counters with two extra seats, taking its capacity to seven occupants.