Compare the2025 Kia EV9VS 2025 Mercedes EQS SUV

Both the EV9 and EQS SUV have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The EV9 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The EQS SUV’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia EV9 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mercedes EQS SUV has not been tested.

Both the EV9 and the EQS SUV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Kia EV9 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The EQS SUV has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The EV9 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The EQS SUV’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV9 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the EQS SUV. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EQS SUV ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV9’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the EV9’s reliability 12 points higher than the EQS SUV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

As tested in Consumer Reports the EV9 Land/Wind electric motors is faster than the EQS SUV 450+ electric motor:

As tested in Motor Trend the EV9 GT-Line electric motors is faster than the EQS SUV 450+ electric motor:

On the EPA test cycle the EV9 gets better mileage than the EQS SUV:

The EV9 stops shorter than the EQS SUV:

For better traction, the EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EQS SUV (285/45R21 vs. 275/45R22).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV9 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the EQS SUV.

For greater off-road capability the EV9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EQS SUV (7.8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the EV9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia EV9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 950 pounds less than the Mercedes EQS SUV.

The EV9 is 4.6 inches shorter than the EQS SUV, making the EV9 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV9’s middle and third row seats recline. The EQS SUV’s third row seats don’t recline.

The EV9’s cargo area provides more volume than the Maybach EQS 680.

The EV9’s cargo area provides more volume than the EQS SUV.

Both the EV9 and the EQS SUV offer second row automatic folding seats. The EV9’s optional third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The EQS SUV doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes EQS SUV is limited to 3500 pounds. The EV9 AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the EV9, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the EQS SUV.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EV9 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the EQS SUV only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The EV9 has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EQS SUV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia EV9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes EQS SUV isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EV9 first among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The EQS SUV isn’t in the top three.

The EV9 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The EQS SUV has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV9 as the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The EQS SUV has never been chosen.

The Kia EV9 outsold the Mercedes EQS SUV by over three to one during 2024.