Car Buyer's Guide

Kia EV9 vs Volvo XC90

Kia EV9

Kia EV9

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90

Verdict

The EV9 is 34% more powerful, the XC90 has a 26% bigger boot, while the EV9 is about 12% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.

What the EV9 has over the XC90

Power SocketsParking Sensor FrontHead-up DisplayParking Sensor RearAuto Parking

What the XC90 has over the EV9

Airbag Disable FunctionAutonomous Braking SystemAuto Start/StopNavigationElectric Steering Adjustment

Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.

The EV9's wheelbase is 116 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the XC90: 451 litres against 333.

EV9 5,015 × 1,980 × 1,780 mm · wheelbase 3,100 mmXC90 4,950 × 1,958 × 1,776 mm · wheelbase 2,984 mm
1,7805,015 mmWheelbase 3,100 mm1,7764,950 mmWheelbase 2,984 mm

Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.

Price & overview
PriceRM368,668✓RM418,888
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentD-SegmentExecutive
AssemblyCBUCKD
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM515RM428✓
Monthly instalment (est.)RM3,765/mo✓RM4,275/mo
Insurance / year (est.)RM9,833✓RM11,204
Fuel or electricity / year (est.)RM1,756—
Energy cost / 100 km (est.)RM8.78—
5-year running costs (est.)RM60,521—
Charging (estimated)
AC charge 0–100% (est.)9.1 hours—
DC charge 10–80% (est.)20 min—
Powertrain
Engine TechE-GMP platform, 800V architecture16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance
Capacity—1,969 cc
Horsepower—249 hp at 5,400 rpm
Torque—350 Nm at 1,800 rpm
Cylinder Arrangement—Inline 4
FuelElectricPetrol Hybrid/REV
Bore × Stroke—82 mm × 93.2 mm
Compression Ratio—10.3
Number of Motors21
Motor Horsepower380 hp✓14 hp
Motor Torque700 Nm✓40 Nm
Battery Capacity99.8 kWh—
EV Range505 km—
Charging Rate (AC)11 kW—
Charging Rate (DC)350 kW—
V2L3.6 kW—
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticConventional Automatic
Transmission Name—8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic
Gears—8
Transmission Manufacturer—Volvo
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h—7.7 seconds
Top Speed200 km/h✓180 km/h
Dimensions
Length5,015 mm4,950 mm
Width1,980 mm1,958 mm
Height1,780 mm1,776 mm
Wheelbase3,100 mm2,984 mm
Weight2,648 kg2,350 kg
Fuel Tank—71 litres
Doors55
Seats77
Boot Space333 litres451 litres✓
Front Tyre285/45R21275/45R20
Rear Tyre285/45R21275/45R20
Spare TyreTyre Repair KitN/A, Tyre Repair Kit
Factory TyresContinental PremiumContact C—
Wiper Blade (Driver)26 inch24 inch
Wiper Blade (Passenger)18 inch20 inch
Wiper Blade (Rear)—14 inch
Chassis
AssemblyKorea (CBU)Malaysia (CKD)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutDouble Wishbones with Air Suspension
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link with Air Suspension
Front Wheels21" Alloys20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy
Rear Wheels21" Alloys20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
Airbags7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag)7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain)
ABS/EBD✓✓
Stability Control✓✓
Alarm✓✓
Immobilizer✓✓
Airbag Disable Function—✓
Child Safety LockAutomatic For Rear DoorsElectric for rear doors
Seat Belts7 Three-point7 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓✓
ISOFIXAvailable for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third RowAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters
Autonomous Braking System—Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsFor All Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED ProjectorDynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsDriver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, HeatingPower Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space upSecond row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50
Front Air-conDual-Zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control System
Rear Air-conSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air VentsDual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic, Front Tilt and Slide
Power Sockets2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear—
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightingMap Lights and Ambient Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row
Sun ShadePanoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window ShadesManual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade
Audio12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Knob Twist
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Start/Stop—✓
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓✓
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering AssistActive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Electric Steering Adjustment—✓
Boot OperationPowered with Contactless OperationPowered Boot, Contactless Opening
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors—
Reverse CameraYes, with Surround View MonitorYes, with 360 Surround View Camera
Auto ParkingYes, Remote Parking Assist—
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation—✓
Head-up Display✓—
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage Manufacturer150,000 kmUnlimited✓
Warranty Manufacturer5 years5 years
Warranty Notes8 years/160,000 km for EV battery8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty

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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.

Our reviews & guides

EV9 vs XC90 FAQ

How long does charging take?

The EV9's 99.8 kWh battery takes about 9.1 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 350 kW peak.

Which one is locally assembled?

The XC90 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the EV9 is fully imported (CBU) from Korea. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.

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