Electric crossover have been plentiful for a few class now , but we ’re finally getting a solid survival of the fittest of electric sport utility vehicle too . In fact , some of these galvanising SUVs are now on their 2nd coevals . The Rivian R1S has long been considered among the best choice for those who want a three - row electric SUV — and this year , the company unveiled an update to the fomite . But it plump up against bad competition , like the Kia EV9 , which has been hailed as a more affordable option that still offers an excellent overall experience .

So how does thesecond - multiplication Rivian R1Sstack up the Kia EV9 ? They ’re surely priced otherwise , but is the R1S deserving that surplus cash ? Here ’s what you want to bed .

Design

The 2d - contemporaries Rivian R1S andthe Kia EV9are both three - row SUVs , so of grade there are similarity in their design . They ’re both comparatively large , and both search like SUVs when it comes to their overall form .

But of course , are some differences between the two as well . Rivian has become famous for its excogitation that includes the ellipse headlights on the front , mate with the loose bar on both the front and backside of the vehicle . The 2d - contemporaries good example keeps the same overall pattern , which is a ripe thing . It ’s friendly and forward-looking , and owners of the R1S have sex it .

The Kia EV9 sure as shooting is n’t an ugly vehicle , though . On the front ofthe EV9 , you ’ll find Kia ’s so - shout out “ Digital Tiger Face , ” which is made up of angular headlamp on the front and a mean - looking style . It ’s also a good look , and while it ’s perhaps not quite as modern asthe R1S , it ’s still decently unique .

The EV9 is a great - look SUV , and perhaps a little more aggressive in its styling , but the Rivian also wait fresh and modern and a bit more reachable . I love the look of both of them , and ultimately , design comes down to personal preference .

Winner : marry

Interior and tech

The interior of the two vehicles is bang-up too . The EV9 ’s interior is modernistic and high - tech , and it offers double screens at the front for instrument monitoring and infotainment . It ’s quite comfortable as well . The EV9 offer three dustup , with options for either six or seven seats , so there ’s plenty of room for even declamatory family . The EV9 ’s interior is perhaps slightly more traditional than R1S , but it ’s still modern and offers neat feature , like supportfor Apple ’s CarPlay .

But the R1S is a little more tech - focused , and it shows . The R1S also has two screen , include one for instrument monitoring and one for docudrama . While the infotainment display does n’t support CarPlay , Rivian has been hailed for its excellent software that ’s both antiphonal and relatively easy to voyage . That software , in fact , is powered by Unreal Engine , reach for sensational graphics in general . I ’ve driven both of these railroad car and while I relied on CarPlay in the EV9 , I really liked Rivian ’s software package approach , and for the most part , found that I did n’t really miss having access to CarPlay . The R1S offers seven seats .

The EV9 is a more for most driver , but the Rivian is still intuitive and a little more modernistic in its interior styling . Some of this is down to personal preference , but because of the more advanced spirit , we ’re giving this category to Rivian .

Winner : Rivian R1S

Performance

Under the cowl , the vehicles have some law of similarity ; however , one is slenderly higher performing than the other .

The Kia EV9 comes in five different variants . The entry - level modelling of the EV is the EV9 Light , which is usable in a banner or a recollective - range modeling . Both of these are rear - cycle drive vehicle . The stock - range EV9 Light offers 215 horsepower , while the farsighted - range random variable sits at 20hp . The footstep up from the EV9 Light is the EV9 Wind , which is an all - steering wheel crusade vehicle . All all - bike drive EV9 model have a two-fold - motor setup that can give birth 379hp and 516 lb - feet of torque . The Kia EV9 GT Line is the eminent - death EV9 framework , and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds .

That ’s not spoilt performance - wise , but the Rivian R1S ill-use thing up a little , especially in its 2d multiplication . The R1S is also available in a series of different variants , but all variants are all - wheel campaign . The entry - level model is the R1S Adventure Dual Standard , which is a double - motor fomite that offers 533hp and the power to get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — just like thehighest - end EV9 . Then there ’s the R1S Adventure Dual bombastic and Dual Max , both of which are dual - motor chance variable that offer 533hp , or up to 665hp with the $ 5,000 performance upgrade . Next up is the R1S Ascend Tri Max , which bid a monolithic 850 horsepower and the ability to strain 60 miles per hour in only 2.9 seconds through its tri - motor setup . And last but not least is the R1S go up Quad Max . This variant of the R1S is n’t available yet , but it has been announced . It has four motors that hand over 1025hp and can get the vehicle from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.6 seconds . That ’s extremely quick , especially for such a big and arduous vehicle .

To be clear , the R1Sis more expensive the EV9 , so keep that in judgment . But stats are stats , and they reveal that even the base model R1S is as fast as the highest - performing EV9 . This category goes to Rivian .

Range and charging

Range is an crucial factor to think when purchase an galvanising fomite , and both of these vehicles offer a decorous kitchen stove . Again , however , one is understandably better than the other .

The Kia EV9 Light RWD offer 230 miles of EPA - estimated range , which is not that bang-up . It should be enough for driving around town , but anyone who plan on taking 24-hour interval trips or longer route trips should upgrade . Thankfully , the Light Long Range RWD with its big battery reaches 304 miles , which is much better . The EV9 Wind and EV9 Land both have an EPA - estimated kitchen stove of 280 miles , whilethe EV9 GT - Linereaches 270 statute mile . Essentially , the longest - kitchen stove EV9 you could get is the EV9 Light Long Range RWD . Kia does offer middling tight charging though . TheEV9 is build up on an 800 - volt architecture , which means that it can reach 350kW in charging speed . That ’s one of the fastest charging speeds you’re able to get the right way now .

The Rivian R1S represents a significant improvement . The base framework R1S offer 270 geographical mile of range . Step up to the declamatory battery pack and you get 330 mi . Opt for the Max battery gang and you get 410 mile . The tri - motor R1S sits at 371 naut mi , and we do n’t yet know the scope of the quad - motor role model . unluckily , the R1S does n’t charge quite as quickly as the EV9 . It ’s built on a 400V system and can attain 220kW in charging speed .

While the EV9 can charge faster than the R1S , that ’s not enough to give it the win here . The R1S can offer a much longer range , and that ’s more important than quicker charging , within rationality .

Pricing and availability

So far , Rivian has the clear advantage , but the fact is that it ’s also the more expensive vehicle . The Kia EV9 has been hailed for offering enough features at a relatively low price . Indeed , the vehicle starts at $ 54,900 , which is n’t high-risk considering what it has to propose . That said , I advocate most driver at least raise to the EV9 Light Long Range RWD for its importantly better range . It comes in at $ 59,200 . Models range up from there to the EV9 GT - Line AWD , which begin at $ 73,900 .

The Rivian R1Sis importantly more expensive than the Kia EV9 . In fact , the base manikin of the R1 , the R1S Adventure Dual Standard , is more expensive than the most expensive Kia EV9 at $ 75,900 . From there , model range up to the Tri Max version , which is $ 105,900 . Though it ’ll be dethrone as the most expensive R1S when the quad - motor variant finally rolls out .

Winner : Kia EV9

Overall winner: Rivian R1S

This one is n’t much of a surprise . The Rivian R1S arguably a luxury fomite , with pricing to match . To be clear , itisa good electrical SUV , offer a more modern pattern , skillful carrying into action , and a long mountain chain . If you may afford to the R1S , you ’ll in all likelihood be happier with it . That said , that does n’t mean that the Kia EV9 is a subpar fomite . On the contrary , it ’s still an first-class electric SUV , offering a solid reach on anything but the base model , and a comfortable interior with support for helpful features like CarPlay . Not to cite the fact that it can charge quicker . Those with more cash to spend should purchase the R1S. But if the R1S is a piddling too expensive for your budget , then rest assured that you ’ll still be very well-chosen with the Kia EV9 .