Verdict
The Kia EV9 is the cheaper, quicker-on-paper electric brief here: RM368,668 against RM780,000, 380 hp from dual motors, 505 km of EV range and only RM515 road tax. The Lexus GX is the petrol luxury SUV with a 3,445 cc engine, 650 Nm, 7.0-second 0-100 km/h time and a much larger 1,063-litre boot. Both are CBU AWD SUVs of identical 5,015 mm length, but they serve different households: the Kia carries seven; the Lexus seats five and costs far more to tax.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you want seven seats, EV running, 505 km range and the far lower price.
Pick the Lexus GX if you want petrol range flexibility, 650 Nm, a 1,063-litre boot and listed auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Lexus GX RM780,000
- Seats: Kia EV9 7; Lexus GX 5
- Powertrain: Kia EV9 electric dual motor; Lexus GX 3,445 cc petrol engine
- Power: Kia EV9 380 hp; Lexus GX 349 hp
- Size: Kia EV9 5,015 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall; Lexus GX 5,015 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, 1,890 mm tall
- Road tax: Kia EV9 RM515 per year; Lexus GX RM2,352 per year
EV9
- Seven seats versus the Lexus GX’s five
- 505 km EV range from a 99.8 kWh battery
- Lower annual road tax at RM515
- Boot is only 333 litres
- Auto emergency braking is not listed
- No 0-100 km/h time stated
GX
- Big 1,063-litre boot
- 650 Nm from the 3,445 cc petrol engine
- Auto emergency braking is listed
- Costs RM411,332 more
- Only five seats
- Higher RM2,352 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668✓ | RM780,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515✓ | RM2,352 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 349 hp |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 85.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | — | 10 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 175 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 3,110 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 80 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 1,063 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 265/70R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 265/70R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated and Heated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 | Sunroof Shade and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System | 14" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 10-speaker Pioneer 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 (with Smart Card Key) |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View 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 | — |
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 & GX for sale
EV9 vs GX FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Lexus GX better?
For most family use, the Kia EV9 makes more sense: seven seats, 505 km EV range, 380 hp and much lower road tax. The Lexus GX is stronger for boot space, petrol long-distance use and listed auto emergency braking.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus GX costs RM411,332 more than the Kia EV9. That is before considering annual road tax, where the Lexus is RM2,352 per year versus RM515 for the Kia.
Which one has more space?
It depends on the space you need. The Kia EV9 has seven seats and a longer 3,100 mm wheelbase, while the Lexus GX has five seats but a much larger 1,063-litre boot.
