Verdict
At RM368,668 versus RM190,660, the Kia EV9 asks a huge RM178,008 more than the Volkswagen Tayron, but it buys a very different brief: dual-motor electric AWD with 380 hp, 700 Nm, a 99.8 kWh battery and 505 km of EV range. The Tayron is the cheaper seven-seat D-SUV, using a 1.5 litre turbo mild-hybrid petrol setup with 148 hp, 250 Nm and front-wheel drive. It is also easier on road tax at RM120 versus RM515, and its 345-litre boot is slightly larger than the EV9’s 333 litres.
EV9
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want the stronger, larger electric seven-seater with AWD, 505 km range, 350 kW DC charging and V2L.
Tayron
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you want the lower purchase price, lower road tax, petrol mild-hybrid convenience and a slightly bigger boot.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660
- Output: Kia EV9 380 hp/700 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron 148 hp/250 Nm
- Energy storage: Kia EV9 99.8 kWh battery; Volkswagen Tayron 55-litre fuel tank
- Size: Kia EV9 5,015 mm long/3,100 mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Tayron 4,792 mm long/2,788 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 345 litres
- Road tax: Kia EV9 RM515/year; Volkswagen Tayron RM120/year
EV9
- Much stronger dual-motor output: 380 hp and 700 Nm
- 505 km EV range with up to 350 kW DC charging
- Larger body and longer 3,100 mm wheelbase
- Costs RM178,008 more
- Smaller boot: 333 litres versus 345 litres
- Higher road tax at RM515 versus RM120
Tayron
- Far lower RM190,660 price
- Slightly larger 345-litre boot
- Has navigation and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Much lower output: 148 hp and 250 Nm versus 380 hp and 700 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only versus the EV9’s all-wheel drive
- No panoramic glass roof or head-up display
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,668 | RM 190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 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 |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 380 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 99.8 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 505 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| 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 | 2,788 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Discs |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 515 | RM 120✓ |
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 vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Kia EV9 is better for performance, EV range, charging speed and size. The Volkswagen Tayron is better for price, road tax and boot space. For most cost-focused seven-seat SUV buyers, the Tayron is the more sensible buy.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668 and the Volkswagen Tayron costs RM190,660, so the EV9 is RM178,008 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Volkswagen Tayron has the larger boot at 345 litres. The Kia EV9 has 333 litres, so the difference is a small 12 litres in the Tayron’s favour.