Verdict
The Kia EV9 costs RM89,668 more, but it brings seven seats, a 99.8-kWh battery rated for 505 km, and 380 hp with 700 Nm from two motors. Its 3,100-mm wheelbase is 355 mm longer than the Subaru Outback’s, though the EV9’s 333-litre boot trails the wagon’s 522 litres with all seats in use. The Outback is the more affordable five-seat petrol choice, with a 63-litre tank and 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time. For Malaysian families able to charge at home or work, the EV9’s extra seats and electric performance justify its higher entry cost.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, 505 km of electric range and 700 Nm AWD performance.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a lower-cost five-seat AWD wagon with a 522-litre boot and petrol refuelling.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: Kia EV9 has 380 hp and 700 Nm; Subaru Outback has 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Seating and boot space: Kia EV9 has 7 seats and 333 litres; Subaru Outback has 5 seats and 522 litres.
- Wheelbase: Kia EV9 3,100 mm; Subaru Outback 2,745 mm.
- Kerb weight: Kia EV9 2,648 kg; Subaru Outback 1,756 kg.
- Road tax per year: Kia EV9 RM515; Subaru Outback RM878.
EV9
- Seven seats with third-row air vents
- 505-km EV range and 350-kW DC charging
- 380 hp, 700 Nm and AWD
- 333-litre boot is 189 litres smaller than the Outback’s
- No autonomous braking system listed
- RM89,668 higher purchase price
Outback
- RM89,668 lower purchase price
- 522-litre boot
- Autonomous braking system and front foglamps
- Only five seats versus the EV9’s seven
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the EV9’s 380 hp and 700 Nm
- No head-up display or remote parking assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,668 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM515✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| 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 | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,015 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,980 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,780 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,100 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,648 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 333 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R21 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| 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 | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map 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 |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 and PIN Code Access |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 & Outback for sale
EV9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Subaru Outback better?
The EV9 is better for a seven-seat family that can charge regularly, thanks to its 505-km range, 380 hp and 700 Nm. The Outback suits buyers prioritising a lower entry price, petrol use and its larger 522-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM89,668 more than the Subaru Outback. The gap buys two extra seats, a 99.8-kWh electric battery, 505 km claimed range, 350-kW DC charging, 380 hp and 700 Nm.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres, compared with 333 litres in the Kia EV9. The Kia counters with seven seats, while the Subaru seats five.
