Kia EV9 vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Kia EV9 vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Kia EV9

2026 Kia EV9

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 1Kia EV9 wins 3 of 4 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $2,050 a year less in fuel for the Kia EV9 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Kia EV9 is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Kia EV9 has had fewer recall campaigns (10 vs 38).

The two cars

The 2026 Kia EV9 is a standard SUV powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,650 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
EV
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
EV
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

–
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
–
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
305 mi
EV range
–
$850
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
197.2 in
Length
194.9 in
78 in
Width
78 in
68.9 in
Height
73.2 in
5,093 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
11
2
Recalls (2026)
2
10
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
27
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

4,470
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

–
Best used year
–
Year to avoid

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Kia EV9 if…

  • You want an EV with more range (305 miles)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (10 vs 38 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

It doesn't clearly beat the Kia EV9 on any measure we track.

Pros & cons of each

2026 Kia EV9

  • Long EV rangeUp to 305 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Kia EV9 specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →