Hattiesburg's 3-Row Electric SUV Matchup · Kia EV9
Kia EV9 vsRivian R1S
A lighter price. Longer coverage. The R1S counters with serious off-road hardware and real horsepower.
Let's credit the Rivian upfront: it's a genuinely capable off-roader — adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, 43 inches of wading depth — backed by up to 1,025 hp and a 2.6-second 0-60. The Kia EV9 answers with a starting price roughly $29,090 easier, a factory warranty running years longer, and a real dealership handling sales, service, and financing. Here's the unfiltered breakdown from Dean McCrary Kia Hattiesburg, right on US-98 in the Hub City.
$54,900Starting MSRP* — ~$29,090 below R1S
10yr/100kKia EV battery warranty
7Seats standard, every EV9 trim
305 miMax EPA range
5,000 lbMax towing, AWD w/ package
World Carof the Year, 2024
Cutting to the Chase
Where the EV9 Takes the Lead
Let's say it plainly: the R1S is a genuinely capable off-road machine with performance figures the EV9 isn't trying to match. Below is where the EV9 wins instead — cost, coverage, and the everyday experience of buying and servicing it.
Price Advantage
$29,090lower start
$54,900 vs R1S’s $83,990
Even the top-spec EV9 GT-Line runs cheaper than the least expensive R1S available to order. These two simply live in different budget categories.
Coverage Advantage
10yr/100kpowertrain warranty
vs Rivian’s 4–5yr/50–60k basic term
Kia's factory battery and powertrain terms run 10 years/100,000 miles — well past Rivian's 4-to-5-year/50,000-to-60,000-mile basic warranty.
Local Dealer Advantage
In-Personsales & service
vs Rivian’s smaller direct-to-consumer footprint
Dean McCrary Kia gives you in-person test drives, trade-in appraisals, on-site financing, and Kia-certified service, no delivery-window wait or long haul to a distant Rivian service center required.
Phone Connectivity
WirelessApple CarPlay & Android Auto
R1S offers neither, on any trim
Wireless phone connectivity is included on every EV9 trim, no exceptions. The R1S instead runs entirely on Rivian's own software — there's no native CarPlay or Android Auto anywhere in the lineup.
Pricing, Trim by Trim
What Each Trim Runs
These two sit in entirely separate price tiers. The whole EV9 lineup prices below where R1S pricing even starts, while the R1S counters with a considerably higher tow rating and far more raw output.
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 & powertrainLonger 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 & Capability, Compared
A Genuine Performance Gap — Told Straight.
This is where the EV9 has the toughest hill to climb on paper — the R1S delivers dramatically more power, longer range on its largest battery pack, and a higher tow rating. The EV9 counters with a fraction of the cost and warranty coverage that lasts years longer.
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)
Ownership, Day to Day
What You'll Actually Live With
Both seat seven across three rows. The R1S goes further off-pavement and hauls a heavier trailer. The EV9 brings a noticeably lower price, longer warranty coverage, and a dealership with an actual front door.
Sticker Price
$29,090lower to start
$54,900 EV9 vs $83,990 R1S
Every EV9 trim, GT-Line included, still prices below a base R1S. This is simply a different budget conversation from the outset.
Long-Term Coverage
10yr/100kpowertrain warranty
vs Rivian’s 4–5yr/50–60k basic term
Kia's factory warranty terms exceed Rivian's on paper — a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and battery warranty against Rivian's shorter 4-to-5-year basic term.
Off-Road & Towing, No Spin
7,700 lbR1S max towing
vs 5,000 lb for the EV9
For shoppers who genuinely need it, the R1S's adjustable air suspension and considerably higher tow rating are legitimate advantages, plain and simple.
Tech, Safety & Driver-Assist
Everyday-Driver Tech vs Off-Road Engineering
The EV9 wins on standard phone connectivity and longer warranty coverage for every buyer. The R1S leans heavily into serious off-road engineering plus a newer, hands-free highway-driving 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 & powertrain warranty
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
Independently Recognized
Genuine Awards, Genuine Trade-Offs
The EV9 has racked up plenty of mainstream awards and value recognition of its own. Here's the complete picture, including where the R1S genuinely takes the lead.
World Car Awards · 2024
World Car of the Year
A jury of 98 journalists spanning 30 countries crowned the EV9 the 2024 World Car of the Year — Kia's second-ever win in that category.
Kelley Blue Book · 2026
Three Straight Years as Best Buy
Kelley Blue Book has awarded the EV9 its Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle Best Buy title for three consecutive years — a value argument the R1S, priced at nearly double, isn't positioned to make.
Kia Factory Warranty
5-Year / 60,000-Mile Basic Warranty
Kia's basic bumper-to-bumper coverage runs a full 5 years or 60,000 miles — longer than the 4-year/50,000-mile term on dual-motor R1S models, standard on every new EV9 we sell.
Rivian’s Real Strengths
Off-Road Hardware, Towing & Raw Performance
No question about it, the R1S is a serious off-road machine — adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, roughly 43 inches of wading depth — and it hauls up to 7,700 pounds with as much as 1,025 hp available. That's genuine capability, plain and simple.
Weighing the R1S Too? Test-Drive the EV9 First.
Check out every EV9 trim currently in our stock, get an honest figure on your current vehicle, and see the difference for yourself — one stop, right here in Hattiesburg.
EV9 vs R1S — What Shoppers Ask
Between the Kia EV9 and the Rivian R1S, which wins?⌄
There isn't one universal answer — it depends on what you value. Credit where due: the R1S brings genuine off-road hardware (adjustable air suspension, up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, 43 inches of wading depth) plus serious performance, up to 1,025 hp and a 2.6-second 0-60. The EV9 counters with a sticker roughly $29,090 lower, a notably longer factory warranty, and a conventional dealer network for sales and service. After off-road ability or straight-line speed? Go R1S. Focused on price, warranty, and day-to-day ownership? The EV9 takes that round.
By how much does the EV9 undercut the Rivian R1S on price?⌄
By a substantial margin. The 2026 EV9 starts at $54,900 MSRP in Light RWD form, while the R1S opens at $83,990 for the Dual Large Pack — roughly a $29,090 gap before adding any options. Step up to the R1S's Tri Max or Quad Max trims and pricing climbs to $106,990 and $125,990.
Can the Rivian R1S tow more than the EV9?⌄
Yes, and it's not a close margin. Every 2026 R1S handles up to 7,700 pounds with a weight-distributing hitch, while the EV9 caps at 5,000 pounds on AWD trims equipped with the optional tow package. Buyers needing maximum tow capacity should look toward the R1S.
How do the EV9's and R1S's warranties compare?⌄
Kia comes out substantially ahead. Every EV9 carries a 10-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. Rivian's basic coverage 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 than Kia's terms in every category.
Does the R1S handle off-road terrain better than the EV9?⌄
Yes, unambiguously. The R1S's adjustable air suspension raises ground clearance to as much as 14.9 inches, it'll 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. The EV9 wasn't engineered for that kind of off-pavement work. For serious off-road needs, the R1S is the more capable choice.
Where does the Rivian R1S outperform the EV9?⌄
A handful of genuine wins: considerably more towing capacity (7,700 vs 5,000 lb), an adjustable, off-road-tuned air suspension with far greater ground clearance and wading depth, a much higher power ceiling (up to 1,025 hp against the EV9's 379 hp), and Rivian's Universal Hands-Free system, which allows hands-off driving on far more roads than the EV9's hands-on-only Highway Driving Assist 2. For buyers prioritizing capability and performance, the R1S makes a compelling case.
Where near Hattiesburg, MS can I compare the EV9 and R1S?⌄
Dean McCrary Kia, at 7124 US Hwy 98, sits right where I-59, US-49, US-98, and US-11 converge in Hattiesburg, keeping the full EV9 lineup in stock for shoppers across Forrest, Lamar, Covington, and Perry counties — Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, Columbia, and everywhere between. As a full-service franchise dealership, we provide in-person test drives, trade-in appraisals, financing, and local service, without any online-only ordering hassle.
EV9 vs R1S · Pine Belt
Hunting for a 3-Row Electric SUV in Hattiesburg?
Dean McCrary Kia keeps Pine Belt families across Forrest, Lamar, Covington, and Perry counties supplied with the area's EV9 selection, right where I-59, US-49, US-98, and US-11 converge. Weighing the Rivian R1S too? Here's why to start here.
- Check real-time stock across every EV9 trim — Light through GT-Line
- Get an honest figure on your trade — value your current vehicle in minutes
- Upfront pricing plus Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and EV battery warranty on every new EV9
- Kia-certified technicians, factory-scheduled maintenance, and genuine parts
Dean McCrary Kia
Address7124 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Sales(601) 544-4007
Sales HoursMon–Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sources & Verification
This page compares the 2026 Kia EV9 to the 2026 Rivian R1S (Gen 2). Specs and pricing were gathered from manufacturer sources (kia.com, rivian.com), Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, U.S. News, and automotive press coverage (InsideEVs, Recharged, The Weekly Driver), current as of publication. MSRP listed is base, before destination, taxes, title, and dealer fees; battery pack, motor count, and upper trims cost more. Horsepower, torque, EPA-estimated range, towing, and DC fast-charging rates are independent or manufacturer-published figures and may not all be achieved simultaneously or under every condition; actual results 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 remain trademarks of Rivian Automotive, Inc. References to Kia and EV9 are used strictly for descriptive comparison purposes. This page reflects the dealer’s own perspective and exists for informational purposes only. Pricing and offers are subject to change — reach out to Dean McCrary Kia for current figures.
Kia EV9 vs Rivian R1S: An Honest Comparison from Dean McCrary Kia in Hattiesburg, MS
Here's a candid side-by-side of the Kia EV9 and 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 and powertrain vs Rivian's 4-to-5-year/50,000-to-60,000-mile basic term), and a traditional franchise dealer network. Dean McCrary Kia, at 7124 US Hwy 98 in Hattiesburg, carries the EV9 lineup and serves shoppers across Forrest, Lamar, Covington, and Perry counties, including Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, and Columbia.