Vehicle comparison
Kia EV9 vs Rivian R1S
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Kia EV9 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Kia EV9 costs about $768 per year, roughly $146 less than the Rivian R1S. Over 5 years, that's about $731 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Kia EV9 | Rivian R1S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | EV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 89 | 73 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 80 | 65 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 85 | 69 |
| Battery (kWh) | 99.8 kWh | 135 kWh |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.064 | $0.076 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly charging spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Kia EV9 | Rivian R1S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $512/yr · $43/mo | $610/yr · $51/mo | $98 (Kia EV9) |
| 12,000 | $768/yr · $64/mo | $914/yr · $76/mo | $146 (Kia EV9) |
| 15,000 | $960/yr · $80/mo | $1143/yr · $95/mo | $183 (Kia EV9) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Kia EV9
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Kia EV9Best for road trips
Kia EV9
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Kia EV9Best for families
Kia EV9
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Kia EV9Best for lowest running cost
Kia EV9
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Kia EV9How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Kia EV9 or Rivian R1S?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Kia EV9 costs about $768 per year vs $914 for the Rivian R1S — roughly $146 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Kia EV9 and Rivian R1S?
The Kia EV9 is rated around 85 combined MPGe versus 69 MPGe for the Rivian R1S. Highway figures are 80 vs 65.
How much will I spend on charging over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $3840 for the Kia EV9 and $4571 for the Rivian R1S, a difference of roughly $731.
Is the Kia EV9 or Rivian R1S better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Kia EV9 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Kia EV9 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.