Verdict
The Kia EV9 is the more specialised seven-seat family SUV: its 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km EV range, dual-motor 380 hp/700 Nm output and all-wheel drive are a major step up from the Tayron’s 1.5-litre 148 hp/250 Nm front-wheel-drive mild hybrid setup. At RM368,668, it costs RM178,008 more than the RM190,660 Tayron, while annual road tax is RM515 versus RM120. The Kia is also 223 mm longer and has a 310 mm longer wheelbase, but its 333-litre boot is 12 litres smaller. Choose it only if charging access and its EV package justify the large premium.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want a 505 km electric seven-seater with 380 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and 350 kW DC charging.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you need a seven-seat SUV at far lower upfront and annual road-tax cost, and petrol refuelling suits your routine.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660.
- Power and torque: Kia EV9 dual motors produce 380 hp and 700 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron produces 148 hp and 250 Nm.
- Driveline: Kia EV9 all-wheel drive; Volkswagen Tayron front-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: Kia EV9 3,100 mm; Volkswagen Tayron 2,790 mm.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 345 litres.
- Annual road tax: Kia EV9 RM515; Volkswagen Tayron RM120.
EV9
- 99.8 kWh battery with 505 km EV range
- 380 hp, 700 Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive
- 350 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L
- RM178,008 higher purchase price
- RM515 annual road tax versus RM120
- 333-litre boot is 12 litres smaller
Tayron
- Much lower purchase price and annual road tax
- 345-litre boot
- Front-seat ventilation and Dynamic Chassis Control Pro
- 148 hp and 250 Nm versus 380 hp and 700 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- Two-year warranty versus five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668 | RM190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 148 hp |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| 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 Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 345 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Automatic For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| 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 and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB 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 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| 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✓ | 2 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 & Tayron for sale
EV9 vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The EV9 is better for buyers committed to electric driving, with 505 km range, 380 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive. The Tayron is the more affordable choice for petrol use, costing RM178,008 less and carrying RM395 less annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM178,008 more than the Volkswagen Tayron.
Which has the larger boot?
The Volkswagen Tayron has the larger boot at 345 litres, compared with 333 litres in the Kia EV9. Both have seven seats and a powered boot with contactless operation.