New Kia EV9 vs EV6 – Which Kia EV Is The Right One For You?

The Korean auto giant has recently launched its global flagship 3-row electric SUV in India to rival the premium luxury EVs

The recently launched new Kia EV9 and the existing EV6 make up Kia’s Indian EV portfolio as I compare it on the basis of specs, prices, features, safety and design. EV9 is the three-row 6-seat flagship electric SUV from Kia. It is already on sale in many parts of the world. In fact, most critics have only had positive things to say about it. Even the customers are extremely happy with this EV. Now it is time for Indian customers to experience the best that Kia has to offer. On the other hand, the EV6 electric crossover has already performed immensely well in India. Let us thoroughly compare the two.

New Kia EV9 vs EV6 – Price

Let us commence with the pricing since that is a major factor in how well these two will sell. Firstly, let us talk about the new launch. The Kia EV9 is available in a single fully-loaded GT-Line version which has a price tag of a jaw-dropping Rs 1.30 Crore, ex-showroom. The fact that is the flagship offering from Kia and is a CBU model means that the prices were always going to be high. On the other hand, the Kia EV6 is on sale in two variants – GT Line RWD and GT Line AWD. The prices are Rs 60.97 lakh and Rs 65.97 lakh, ex-showroom, respectively.

New Kia EV9 vs EV6 – Specs

This is where significant differences lie between these two EVs from the same car marque. Firstly, the EV9 utilizes the famous E-GMP architecture which also underpins other Hyundai EVs. The 3-row electric SUV carries a colossal 99.8 kWh battery pack. It feeds two electric motors which constitute an all-wheel-drive configuration. This results in a decent 384 PS and 700 Nm of peak power and torque. This is enough to haul the large EV from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 5.3 seconds. That is quite impressive. Furthermore, the EV boasts a range of 561 km on a single charge as per ARAI MIDC. It runs on large 20-inch alloy wheels.

On the other hand, the Kia EV6 also uses the same platform as the EV9. The electric cross has a 77.4 kWh Lithium-ion battery which can feed either a single-motor RWD or a dual-motor AWD drivetrain. Depending on the variant, the power and torque figures range from 229 PS / 350 Nm to 325 PS / 605 Nm. Clearly, the AWD iteration is extremely powerful, especially for a vehicle of this size. Using a 350 kW DC ultra-fast charger, the battery can be juiced up from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. The claimed driving range is 528 km (WLTP) on a single charge. However, it will be a bit lower in real-world conditions. In the most aggressive settings, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h comes up in just 5.2 seconds.

New Kia EV9 vs EV6 – Features and Dimensions

Then we have, perhaps, the most critical aspect of any modern car, the features. We know that new-age vehicles are, essentially, gadgets on wheels. People desire their vehicles to possess all sorts of latest tech, convenience, connectivity and safety amenities. Thankfully, Kia is one brand which excels in this space. All its products in India offer the most features and functionalities in their respective segments in comparison to their rivals. Let us start with the main highlights of the Kia EV9:

• 12.3-inch HD Touchscreen Infotainment Display
• 12.3-inch HD Driver’s Instrument Cluster
• Over-the-air Software Updates
• Next-gen Kia Connect with 100+ Features
• Kia Digital Key 2.0
• Trinity Panoramic Display
• Hidden Haptic Touchscreen Buttons
• Digital IRVM
• Vehicle-to-load (3.68 kW power outlet)
• Tire Mobility Kit
• 6 USB Type-C Port
• Smartphone Wireless Charger with Cooling Function
• Head-up Display
• Independently Controlled 3-zone Fully Automatic Temperature Control
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Massage Seats for 2nd Row
• 2nd Row Captain Seats with 8-Way Power Adjust
• 12-way Front Passenger Power Seat
• 4-spoke Leatherette Steering Wheel
• Illuminated Steering Wheel Emblem
• Cupholder with Sliding Cover – 1st Row
• Extendable Central Console Tray with Under Storage
• 64 Colour Dual Tone Ambient Lighting
• Suede Headlining
• Dual Sunroof (Front – Tilt & Open, Rear – Sliding Curtain)
• Metal Scuff Plates
• Sporty Alloy Pedals
• Electric Adjust Tilt and Telescopic
• Steering Wheel with Memory Function
• Drive Mode & Terrain Mode
• Paddle Shifters (I – Pedal & Regenerative Braking)
• Shift-by-wire Selector
• 18-way Driver Power Seat with Memory Function
• Meridian Premium Sound System with 14 Speakers

On the other hand, the Kia EV6 is also a feature-laden product. Its main functions include:

• 12.3-inch Curved Driver Display Screen
• 12.3-inch Curved Touchscreen Navigation
• Kia Connect with 60+ Features
• Electronic Park Brake with Auto Hold Function
• Electric Adjust & Folding Outside Mirrors
• Steering Mounted Controls
• Remote Folding 60:40 Split Rear Seats
• Front One Touch Auto Up/ Down Power Windows
• Ventilated Driver & Passenger Seats
• 10-way Driver Power Seat with Memory Function
• 10-way Front Passenger Power Seat
• Dual Zone Automatic Air conditioner
• Multi-Drive Modes (Normal/ Eco/ Sport)
• 4 Speakers, 2 Tweeters
• Smart Key with Push Button Start
• Rear Defogger
• Tire Mobility Kit (TMK)
• Smartphone Wireless Charger
• Black Suede Seats with Vegan Leather Bolsters
• 64 Color Ambient Mood Lighting
• Tilt & Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Vegan Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Rear Parcel Shelf
• Metal Scuff Plates
• Sporty Alloy Pedals
• Auto Anti-glare (ECM) Inside Rear View Mirror

Safety

Again, both these EVs are well-equipped in terms of active and passive safety features. The EV9 offers:

• 10 Airbags
• ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
• ESC (Electronic Stability Control) • DBC (Downhill Brake Control)
• MCB (Multi Collision Brake)
• BAS (Brake Assistant System)
• VSM (Vehicle Stability Management)
• ESS (Emergency Stop Signal)
• Front, Side & Rear Parking sensors
• All-wheel Disc Brakes
• Forward Collision Warning
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – Car/ Pedestrian/ Cyclist/ Junction Turning/ Junction Crossing
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – Lane Change Oncoming & Side
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – Driver & Auto Evasive Steering Assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – Direct Oncoming
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist-Reverse
• Blind Spot Collision Warning
• Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning
• Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
• High Beam Assist
• Safe Exit Warning
• Safe Exit Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keep Assist

On the contrary, the EV6 has loads of safety functionalities too. The main highlights are:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Car/ Pedestrian/ Cyclist/ Junction Turning
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Rear-cross Traffic Avoidance Assist (RCTA)
• Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
• Lane Follow Assist (LFA)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC) With Stop & Go Functionality

My View

These two EVs are massively compelling in their own regard. On one hand, we have the EV9, which is the best that Kia has to offer. It certainly carries that corresponding price tag as well. It is clear that only the top celebrities would opt for it. Also, it will be a direct competitor to the luxury electric cars of the world, primarily from the German auto giants. On the other hand, if we talk about the pricing, the EV6 definitely offers insane value for money. Having said that, it is a much smaller car and the owners will opt for it for different reasons than EV9. Hence, I would encourage our readers to visit the Kia dealerships and experience these in the flesh to make up their minds.

Also Read: Flagship 6-Seat Kia EV9 Electric SUV Launched