3-Row Electric SUV Showdown · Kia EV9
Kia EV9 vsRivian R1S
A far lower price. A longer warranty. The R1S answers with serious off-road hardware and raw performance.
We'll say the Rivian's real strengths upfront: genuinely capable off-road hardware — adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, 43 inches of wading depth — and up to 1,025 hp with a 2.6-second 0-60. The Kia EV9 counters with a starting price about $29,090 lower, a warranty that runs years longer plus Warranty Forever, and a real dealership for sales, service, and financing. Here's the honest breakdown at Dean McCrary Kia in Mobile, AL.
$54,900Starting MSRP* — ~$29,090 below R1S
10yr/100kKia EV battery warranty + Warranty Forever
7Seats standard, every EV9 trim
305 miMax EPA range
5,000 lbMax towing, AWD w/ package
World Carof the Year, 2024
The Quick Verdict
Where the EV9 Leads
The R1S is a genuinely capable off-road machine with performance the EV9 doesn't try to match — stated plainly. Here's where the EV9 pulls ahead on price, coverage, and how you actually buy and service the car.
Value Leader
$29,090lower start
$54,900 vs R1S’s $83,990
The EV9's entire lineup, top trim included, still costs less than the R1S's starting price. A meaningfully different price bracket.
Warranty Leader
Foreverpowertrain coverage
vs Rivian’s 4–5yr/50–60k basic term
Kia's battery and powertrain terms already run longer than Rivian's, and every new EV9 at Dean McCrary adds Warranty Forever on top.
Real Dealer Network
In-Personsales & service
vs Rivian’s smaller direct-to-consumer footprint
Dean McCrary Kia offers in-person test drives, trade-in appraisals, on-site financing, and local Kia-certified service — no waiting on a delivery window or a distant Rivian service center.
Standard CarPlay
WirelessApple CarPlay & Android Auto
R1S offers neither, on any trim
Every EV9 includes standard wireless phone connectivity. Rivian's own software runs the R1S's screens instead — no native CarPlay or Android Auto.
Pricing & Configuration
Trim Range & Starting MSRP
These sit in very different price brackets. The EV9's entire range costs less than the R1S's starting point. The R1S answers with far more towing capacity and outright power.
Configuration
Kia EV92026
Rivian R1S2026, Gen 2
⚠ Starting MSRP*
$54,900~$29,090 Lower
$83,990 (Dual Large Pack)
Trim Range
Light → GT-Line (5), $54,900–$71,900
Dual → Quad Max, $83,990–$125,990
Standard Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
Yes, every trimPhone Connectivity
Not offered — Rivian's own software only
Max Towing
5,000 lb (w/ package)
7,700 lb (weight-distributing hitch)
Basic Warranty
10yr/100,000-mi EV battery + Warranty ForeverLonger Coverage
4yr/50,000 mi (Dual) or 5yr/60,000 mi (Quad Max)
Drivetrain
RWD standard, dual-motor AWD available
Dual/Tri/Quad-motor AWD only — no RWD option
Power, Range & Capability
A Real Performance Gap. Let’s Be Honest About It.
This is the EV9's toughest matchup on paper: the R1S offers dramatically more power, range on its largest battery pack, and towing capacity. The EV9 answers with a fraction of the price and a much longer warranty.
Kia EV9
76.1 or 99.8 kWh, RWD or AWD
- 215–379 hp depending on trim
- 230–305 mi EPA range
- Max towing: 5,000 lb (AWD, w/ tow package)
- No adjustable off-road suspension or wading-depth rating
Rivian R1S
92.5, 108.5, or 140 kWh, AWD only
- 533 hp (Dual) up to 1,025 hp (Quad Max), 2.6s 0–60 (Quad Max)
- 270–410 mi EPA range depending on battery pack
- Max towing: 7,700 lb, every trim
- Adjustable air suspension: 7.9–14.9″ ground clearance; ⚠ ~43″ wading depth
Powertrain Spec
Kia EV9
Rivian R1S
Base Configuration Horsepower
215 hp (Light, RWD)
533 hp (Dual Standard)R1S Leads
Max Motor Output
379 hp
1,025 hp (Quad Max)R1S Leads
Max EPA-Estimated Range
305 mi
410 mi (Dual, Max pack)R1S Leads
Max Towing
5,000 lb
7,700 lbR1S Leads
⚠ Peak DC Fast Charge
~235 kW
~200–220 kW (real-world tested)
Value, Ownership & Peace of Mind
The Differences You Live With Daily
Both seat up to seven across three rows. The R1S carries you off-pavement and tows more. The EV9 carries a much lower price, a longer warranty, and a real dealership down the street.
Value
$29,090lower to start
$54,900 EV9 vs $83,990 R1S
The entire EV9 lineup, GT-Line included, still costs less than a base R1S. A genuinely different budget conversation.
Peace of Mind
Foreverpowertrain coverage
vs Rivian’s 4–5yr/50–60k basic term
Kia's factory terms already outlast Rivian's. Dean McCrary adds unlimited-time, unlimited-mile Warranty Forever on every new EV9 on top of that.
Off-Road & Towing, Honestly
7,700 lbR1S max towing
vs 5,000 lb for the EV9
The R1S's adjustable air suspension and far higher tow rating are genuine advantages for buyers who actually need them. We're not going to hide that.
Technology & Safety
Everyday Tech vs Off-Road Hardware
The EV9 puts standard phone connectivity and a longer warranty in front of every buyer. The R1S leans into serious off-road engineering and a newer hands-free highway system.
Kia EV9
Standard wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Kia Drive Wise full driver-assist suite standard
Highway Driving Assist 2 (hands-on, not hands-free)
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
10yr/100,000-mile EV battery warranty + Warranty Forever
Traditional franchise dealer network for sales & service
No adjustable air suspension; lower max towing (5,000 vs 7,700 lb)
Rivian R1S
Adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9″ ground clearance
Rivian Autonomy Platform; ⚠ Universal Hands-Free (hands-off on painted-line roads)
Up to 1,025 hp / 2.6s 0–60 (Quad Max)
7,700 lb max towing, every trim
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — Rivian's own software only
Shorter basic warranty (4–5yr/50–60k) than Kia's terms
Starts ~$29,090 higher than the EV9; smaller direct-to-consumer service footprint
Independent Recognition
Real Awards. Real Trade-Offs.
The EV9 has racked up mainstream awards and value recognition. Here's the honest picture, including where the R1S genuinely leads.
World Car Awards · 2024
World Car of the Year
Named 2024 World Car of the Year by a jury of 98 journalists from 30 countries — Kia's second-ever win in the category.
Kelley Blue Book · 2026
Best Buy — Best 3-Row EV, 3 Years Running
KBB’s Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle Best Buy Award, three years in a row — a value case the R1S, at nearly double the price, doesn't compete for.
Dean McCrary Exclusive
Warranty Forever, Included
Unlimited-time, unlimited-mile powertrain coverage — free on every new EV9 here, on top of Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty.
Rivian’s Real Strengths
Off-Road Hardware, Towing & Raw Performance
The R1S is a genuinely serious off-road vehicle — adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, roughly 43 inches of wading depth — and tows up to 7,700 pounds with up to 1,025 hp on tap. Real capability we won't paper over.
Cross-Shopping the R1S? Drive the EV9 First.
See every EV9 trim in stock, get a real number on your current vehicle, and feel the difference yourself — all in one stop in Mobile.
EV9 vs R1S — Common Questions
Is the Kia EV9 better than the Rivian R1S?⌄
It depends on your priority, and the R1S has real strengths worth stating upfront: genuinely serious off-road hardware (adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, 43 inches of wading depth) and far more performance, up to 1,025 hp and a 2.6-second 0-60. The EV9 counters with a starting price about $29,090 lower, a much longer basic warranty plus Warranty Forever, and a traditional franchise dealer network for sales and service. If off-road capability or outright performance is what you need, the R1S is a genuinely strong choice. For price, warranty, and everyday ownership, the EV9 leads.
How much cheaper is the EV9 than the Rivian R1S?⌄
Substantially. The 2026 EV9 starts at $54,900 MSRP (Light RWD), while the R1S starts at $83,990 for the Dual Large Pack — a gap of about $29,090 before a single option is added. The R1S's higher Tri Max and Quad Max trims run to $106,990 and $125,990.
Does the Rivian R1S out-tow the EV9?⌄
Yes, by a wide margin. Every 2026 R1S is rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds with a weight-distributing hitch. The EV9's best rating is 5,000 pounds on AWD trims with the optional tow package. If maximum towing capacity is the priority, the R1S is the clear choice.
What is the warranty difference between the EV9 and the R1S?⌄
Kia's is meaningfully longer. The EV9 carries a 10-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty plus Warranty Forever, unlimited-time and unlimited-mile powertrain coverage, at Dean McCrary Kia. Rivian's basic warranty runs 4 years/50,000 miles on Dual-motor R1S models (5 years/60,000 on Quad Max), with an 8-year/150,000-to-175,000-mile battery and drivetrain warranty depending on configuration — shorter across the board than Kia's terms.
Is the Rivian R1S more capable off-road than the EV9?⌄
Yes, and it's not close. The R1S's adjustable air suspension raises ground clearance to as much as 14.9 inches, it can wade through roughly 43 inches of standing water, and its Quad Max motor delivers up to 1,025 hp with a 2.6-second 0-60 time. The EV9 does not offer comparable off-road hardware or performance. If serious off-pavement capability is the priority, the R1S is the genuinely stronger choice.
What does the Rivian R1S do better than the EV9?⌄
Several real things: far more towing capacity (7,700 vs 5,000 lb), adjustable off-road-focused air suspension with far greater ground clearance and wading depth, dramatically more available power (up to 1,025 hp vs the EV9's 379 hp), and Rivian's own Universal Hands-Free driving system, which works hands-off on far more roads than the EV9's hands-on-only Highway Driving Assist 2. If capability and performance are the priority, the R1S is a genuinely strong choice.
Where can I compare the EV9 and R1S near Mobile, AL?⌄
Dean McCrary Kia at 1733 E I-65 Service Rd S in Mobile stocks the EV9 lineup and serves Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, Fairhope, and the Alabama Gulf Coast with a full-service franchise dealership — in-person test drives, trade-in appraisals, financing, and local service, no online-only ordering.
EV9 vs R1S · Gulf Coast
Shopping a 3-Row Electric SUV Near Mobile?
Dean McCrary Kia serves Gulf Coast families from Mobile to the Eastern Shore with the area’s EV9 selection. If you’re cross-shopping the Rivian R1S, here’s why to start here.
- Live inventory of every EV9 trim — Light through GT-Line
- A fair number on your trade — value your current vehicle in minutes
- Upfront pricing and Warranty Forever on every new EV9
- Kia-certified service, factory maintenance, and genuine parts
Dean McCrary Kia
Address1733 E I-65 Service Rd S, Mobile, AL 36606
Sales(251) 471-3326
Sales HoursMon–Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sources & Verification
Comparison reflects the 2026 Kia EV9 against the 2026 Rivian R1S (Gen 2). Specifications and pricing compiled from manufacturer materials (kia.com, rivian.com), Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, U.S. News, and automotive press coverage (InsideEVs, Recharged, The Weekly Driver), and are current as of publication. MSRP shown is base, excluding destination, taxes, title, and dealer fees; battery pack, motor count, and higher trims add cost. Horsepower, torque, EPA-estimated range, towing, and DC fast-charging rates are independent or manufacturer-published attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously or under all conditions; your results will vary. Off-road ground clearance and wading-depth figures reflect Rivian's published specifications and independent automotive press coverage.
Rivian, R1S, Rivian Autonomy Platform, and Universal Hands-Free are trademarks of Rivian Automotive, Inc. Kia, EV9, and Warranty Forever references are used for descriptive comparison. This comparison reflects the dealer’s perspective and is intended for informational purposes only. Pricing and offers subject to change — contact Dean McCrary Kia for current pricing.
Kia EV9 vs Rivian R1S Comparison — Dean McCrary Kia, Mobile AL
The Kia EV9 compares honestly to the Rivian R1S. The R1S genuinely leads on off-road capability (adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance), towing (7,700 vs 5,000 pounds), and available power (up to 1,025 hp vs 379 hp). The EV9 leads on starting price (about $54,900 vs $83,990, roughly $29,090 lower), warranty (10-year/100,000-mile EV battery plus Warranty Forever vs Rivian's 4-to-5-year/50,000-to-60,000-mile basic term), and a traditional franchise dealer network. Dean McCrary Kia in Mobile, Alabama stocks the EV9 lineup, serving Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, and Fairhope.