Verdict
The Kia EV9 is RM16,304 cheaper at RM368,668 and gives Malaysian buyers seven seats, dual-motor AWD, 380 hp, a 99.8 kWh battery and 505 km of EV range. The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM384,972 and is the more conventional long-distance petrol SUV, with a 2,995 cc engine, 90-litre tank, 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and a 250 km/h top speed. The split is clear: the Kia is the bigger electric family hauler, while the Volkswagen trades two seats for far more boot space and listed AEB.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want seven seats, EV running, 505 km of range and the lower RM515 annual road tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you want a petrol AWD SUV with 810 litres of boot space, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and listed AEB.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972
- Seats: Kia EV9 7; Volkswagen Touareg 5
- Powertrain: Kia EV9 dual-motor electric; Volkswagen Touareg 2,995 cc petrol
- Power: Kia EV9 380 hp; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp
- Size: Kia EV9 5,015 mm long with 3,100 mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Touareg 4,878 mm long with 2,984 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 810 litres
EV9
- Seven seats versus the Touareg’s five
- 505 km EV range from a 99.8 kWh battery
- Lower annual road tax at RM515
- Boot space is only 333 litres
- Top speed is 200 km/h versus the Touareg’s 250 km/h
- AEB is not listed
Touareg
- Much larger 810-litre boot
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- AEB is listed as standard
- Only five seats
- Higher annual road tax at RM1,632
- Costs RM16,304 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,668✓ | RM 384,972 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 335 hp |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | V |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Automatic For Rear Doors | Electronic 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 outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 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 Rear |
| 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 | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| 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 & 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 515✓ | RM 1,632 |
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 Touareg FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Kia EV9 is better for seven-seat EV family use, with 505 km range and lower road tax. The Volkswagen Touareg is better if you need 810 litres of boot space, petrol range flexibility and listed AEB.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM16,304 more than the Kia EV9. The EV9 is priced at RM368,668, while the Touareg is RM384,972.
Which has more space?
For passengers, the Kia EV9 has the advantage with seven seats versus five. For luggage, the Volkswagen Touareg wins clearly with 810 litres of boot space against the EV9’s 333 litres.