Verdict
The Kia EV9 costs RM368,668 to the Lexus GX’s RM780,000, leaving RM411,332 in hand before running costs; annual road tax is also RM515 versus RM2,352. For Malaysian families, the EV9’s seven seats, 3,100 mm wheelbase and 505 km electric range make the stronger everyday case, provided 350 kW DC charging suits your routes. The GX counters with a far larger 1,063-litre boot, a full-size spare tyre and a 349 hp, 650 Nm twin-turbo V6. It is the choice for five occupants who need its cargo capacity, not the rational price pick.
The GX GX550 Luxury+ (RM830,000) sits above every EV9 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, 505 km of electric range and vastly lower RM515 annual road tax.
Pick the Lexus GX if you need a 1,063-litre boot, a full-size spare tyre and a petrol V6 SUV for five.
Key differences
- Price: Kia EV9 RM368,668; Lexus GX RM780,000.
- Annual road tax: Kia EV9 RM515; Lexus GX RM2,352.
- Seating: Kia EV9 7 seats; Lexus GX 5 seats.
- Boot space: Kia EV9 333 litres; Lexus GX 1,063 litres.
- Wheelbase: Kia EV9 3,100 mm; Lexus GX 2,850 mm.
- Powertrain output: Kia EV9 has 380 hp and 700 Nm from two motors; Lexus GX has 349 hp and 650 Nm from a 3.445-litre twin-turbo V6.
EV9
- Seven seats with third-row air vents
- 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km range and 350 kW DC charging
- Remote Parking Assist and 3.6 kW V2L
- 333-litre boot is much smaller than the GX’s 1,063 litres
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre
- No autonomous braking listed, unlike the GX
GX
- 1,063-litre boot and full-size spare tyre
- 349 hp, 650 Nm 3.445-litre twin-turbo V6
- Adaptive high beam, front foglamps and autonomous braking
- RM411,332 more expensive than the EV9
- Five seats versus the EV9’s seven
- RM2,352 annual road tax versus RM515
What the EV9 has over the GX
What the GX has over the EV9
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 250 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the GX: 1,063 litres against 333.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| 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 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,765/mo✓ | RM7,965/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,833✓ | RM20,658 |
| 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 Tech | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 349 hp at 4,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 650 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | V 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 85.5 mm × 100 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 | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 22 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 18 inch | 20 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 10 inch |
| 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 | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) | 7 (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. 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.
Used EV9 & GX for sale
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EV9 vs GX FAQ
Is the Kia EV9 or Lexus GX better?
The EV9 is better for most Malaysian families: it has seven seats, a 505 km electric range, 700 Nm and much lower annual road tax. Choose the GX only if its 1,063-litre boot, full-size spare and petrol V6 suit your needs better.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus GX costs RM411,332 more than the Kia EV9: RM780,000 against RM368,668. The GX also carries RM2,352 annual road tax, compared with RM515 for the EV9.
Which has the better long-distance energy setup?
The EV9 has a 99.8 kWh battery, a claimed 505 km range and 350 kW DC charging. The GX uses an 80-litre petrol tank. The better fit depends on access to charging along your regular routes.
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.