Kia EV9 vs Rivian R1S: Specs Compared
Also searched as Rivian R1S vs Kia EV9 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Kia EV9 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 89 mpg combined versus 85 mpg for the Rivian R1S, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Kia EV9 leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2024–2026
Kia EV9
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 13 configurations
2022–2027
Rivian R1S
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 94 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Kia EV9 | Rivian R1S |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 89 mpg ✓ | 85 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 101 mpg ✓ | 94 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 78 mpg ✓ | 77 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $850 ✓ | $900 |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2024–2026 | 2022–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 13 | 94 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Kia EV9 vs Rivian R1S dimensions and size
The Rivian R1S is 3.5 inches longer than the Kia EV9 on a wheelbase 0.8 inches shorter, and 1,417.6 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Kia EV9 (2026) | Rivian R1S (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 197.2 in | 200.8 in | 3.5 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 78 in | 79.1 in | 1.2 in |
| Height | 68.9 in | 77.2 in | 8.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 122 in | 121.3 in | 0.8 in |
| Curb weight | 5,650 lbs | 7,068 lbs | 1,418 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Kia EV9 vs Rivian R1S: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Kia EV9 burns about $850 of fuel annually against $900 for the Rivian R1S. That $50 yearly gap compounds to roughly $250 over five years and $400 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Kia EV9 leads in both cycles — 101 mpg city and 78 mpg highway against 94 and 77 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Drivetrain and class: the Kia EV9 is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Rivian R1S with 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
EV9 vs R1S: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Kia EV9 or the Rivian R1S?
The Kia EV9 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 89 mpg combined versus 85 mpg for the Rivian R1S, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Kia EV9 runs about $850 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $900 for the Rivian R1S — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the EV9 and R1S offer?
Kia EV9: no engine data on record. Rivian R1S: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Kia EV9 and the Rivian R1S as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More EV9 comparisons
More R1S comparisons
Comparison id: kia-ev9-vs-rivian-r1s