Genuine 3-Row Space vs a Compact Crossover · Kia EV9
Kia EV9 vsTesla Model Y
Two vehicles built for different missions. Here's the unfiltered comparison, no forced equivalence.
Set expectations up front: these two aren't chasing the same shopper. The EV9 is a midsize 3-row SUV with 7 seats standard across every trim. The Model Y is a compact 2-row crossover seating 5, with only a small, kid-scaled third row offered as a $2,500 option on a single trim. In exchange, the Model Y starts about $14,910 lower and connects to Tesla's own Supercharger network — legitimate reasons to choose it if the extra row isn't a must. If it is, here's the argument for the EV9, built and priced at Dean McCrary Kia Hattiesburg.
7Seats standard, every EV9 trim
10yr/100kKia EV battery & powertrain warranty
305 miMax EPA range
5,000 lbMax towing, AWD w/ package
$54,900Starting MSRP*
World Carof the Year, 2024
Bottom Line Up Front
Two Distinct Vehicles, Two Distinct Buyers
Fair's fair: the Model Y is a genuinely solid compact crossover for shoppers who don't need a third row — lower entry cost, plus Tesla's own charging network. But when a household truly needs seven seats across three real rows, the EV9 is the one designed for exactly that.
Real Space Leader
7 Seatsstandard, every trim
Model Y seats 5 standard; 3rd row is a $2,500 option, child-sized
From its earliest design sketch, the EV9 was conceived as a 3-row SUV. The Model Y's third row is a newer, compact add-on sized for children — not really the same class of seating at all.
Warranty Leader
10yr/100kpowertrain coverage
vs Tesla’s 4yr/50k basic term
Kia's factory terms already outlast Tesla's: a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and matching 10-year/100,000-mile EV battery coverage, versus the Model Y's 4-year/50,000-mile basic term.
Towing Leader
5,000 lbmax towing
vs 3,500 lb for the Model Y
Properly equipped, the EV9 simply hauls more — the kind of margin that counts for the trailers, campers, and gear a 3-row family SUV typically gets bought to pull.
Award Leader
World Carof the Year, 2024
Plus KBB Best Buy, 3 years running
World Car of the Year plus three straight KBB Best 3-Row EV Best Buy nods fill out the EV9's trophy case — a category the Model Y doesn't even compete in.
Pricing, Trim by Trim
Two Distinct Vehicles, Two Distinct Price Points
The Model Y's lower price tag is really the size gap showing up on the invoice. What matters more is what each one actually seats and hauls once it's yours.
Configuration
Kia EV92026 · 3-Row
Tesla Model Y2026 · Compact 2-Row
Starting MSRP*
$54,900
$39,990 (Standard RWD)
Body Type & Rows
Midsize 3-row SUVReal 3rd Row
Compact 2-row crossover (⚠ tiny 3rd-row option, one trim)
Seating Capacity
7, standard — every trimStandard, Not an Option
5 standard; 7 available, +$2,500, Premium AWD Long Range only
Max EPA Range
305 mi
Up to 357 mi (Premium RWD)
Max Towing
5,000 lb (w/ package)Higher Rating
3,500 lb (w/ tow hitch)
Basic Warranty
5yr/60,000-mi basic + 10yr/100,000-mi powertrainLonger Coverage
4yr/50,000 mi
Battery, Range & Charging
The Model Y Uses Less Energy. It's Also Moving Less Vehicle.
Charge for charge, the Model Y covers more distance and connects directly to the Supercharger network Tesla built itself — genuine perks that come with being lighter and smaller. The EV9 answers with a heavier tow rating and standard 3-row capability that was never in the Model Y's design brief to begin with.
Kia EV9
76.1 or 99.8 kWh, RWD or AWD
- 215–379 hp depending on trim
- 230–305 mi EPA range
- 800V-class charging — up to ~235 kW peak
- Max towing: 5,000 lb (AWD, w/ tow package)
- 7 seats standard, every trim
Tesla Model Y
Standard, Premium, or Performance
- Up to 357 mi EPA range (Premium RWD)
- Peak DC fast charge: up to 250 kW on V4 Superchargers
- Native access to Tesla's own 21,500+ station Supercharger network
- Max towing: 3,500 lb (w/ tow hitch) — lower than the EV9
- 5 seats standard; 7-seat option is a small, child-oriented 3rd row (+$2,500, one trim only)
Powertrain Spec
Kia EV9
Tesla Model Y
Max EPA-Estimated Range
305 mi
Up to 357 miModel Y Leads
Peak DC Fast Charge
~235 kW
Up to 250 kWModel Y Leads
Max Towing
5,000 lb
3,500 lb
Standard Seating
7, every trim
5 (7 optional, +$2,500, 1 trim)
Basic Warranty
5yr/60,000 mi basic + 10yr/100,000 mi powertrain
4yr/50,000 mi
Space, Coverage & Confidence
Choose the Vehicle Suited to the Task
If the task is five seats at the lowest EV price around, the Model Y handles that well. If the task is hauling a whole family across three genuine rows, that's precisely what the EV9 was designed to do.
Real 3rd Row
7 Seatsstandard, every EV9 trim
Model Y's 3rd row: +$2,500, child-sized, 1 trim only
Tesla's new third-row option is sized for children and available on just one trim. The EV9's seven-seat layout, by contrast, is simply standard equipment across every trim, already baked into the base price.
Peace of Mind
10yr/100kpowertrain coverage
4yr/50k basic for the Model Y
Kia's factory terms outdo Tesla's on paper: a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile EV battery coverage, versus the Model Y's 4-year/50,000-mile basic term.
Efficiency, Honestly
357mi, Model Y Premium RWD
vs 305 mi for the EV9, in a much smaller vehicle
The Model Y genuinely covers more distance and costs less to buy — it's also hauling far less metal, weight, and cabin space to get there. That trade-off is real, not glossed over here.
Tech & Safety, Compared
Built-In Phone Connectivity vs Tesla's Charging Network
Both perform well in federal crash testing. The EV9 gives every buyer wireless phone connectivity, a genuine third row, and a longer warranty as standard; the Model Y relies on Tesla's own Supercharger network and an easier price tag.
Kia EV9
7 seats standard, every trim — a real 3rd row
Standard wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Kia Drive Wise full driver-assist suite standard
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
10yr/100,000-mile powertrain & EV battery warranty
Higher max towing (5,000 vs 3,500 lb)
Higher starting price and shorter max EPA range than the Model Y
Tesla Model Y
5 seats standard — 3rd row is a small, child-oriented $2,500 option, 1 trim
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — any trim
Tesla Autopilot standard; available Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
$39,990 starting price — lowest here
Native access to Tesla's own 21,500+ station Supercharger network
Up to 357 mi EPA range (Premium RWD)
4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty — shorter than Kia's terms
Independently Recognized
Genuine Hardware. Genuine Trade-Offs.
The EV9 has earned its own recognition within the 3-row EV class, a segment the Model Y doesn't compete in at all. Here's the full picture, including where the Model Y genuinely wins.
World Car Awards · 2024
World Car of the Year
A jury of 98 journalists from 30 countries named it the 2024 World Car of the Year — recognition in a 3-row SUV class the Model Y isn't part of.
Kelley Blue Book · 2026
Best Buy — Best 3-Row EV, 3 Years Running
Kelley Blue Book has handed it the Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle Best Buy Award for three consecutive years.
Kia Factory Warranty
5-Year/60,000-Mile Basic Coverage
Every new EV9 is backed by Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty — bumper-to-bumper coverage that outlasts the Model Y's 4-year/50,000-mile term.
Model Y’s Real Strengths
Lower Price, Supercharger Access & Efficiency
The Model Y genuinely starts lower, covers more distance per dollar on its Premium RWD trim (up to 357 mi), and charges on the Supercharger network Tesla built from the ground up — real advantages for shoppers who don't need three rows.
Need Genuine 3-Row Space? Test-Drive the EV9 First.
Walk through every EV9 trim currently on our lot, get an honest figure on your current vehicle, and feel the difference seven real seats makes — one stop, right here in Hattiesburg.
EV9 vs Model Y — Frequently Asked
Are the Kia EV9 and Tesla Model Y really comparable?⌄
Not in size or price, and there's no pretending otherwise. The EV9 is a genuine 3-row midsize SUV seating 7 on every trim it offers. The Model Y is a compact 2-row crossover seating 5, with a small, child-oriented third row available only as a $2,500 option on one trim. Need genuine 3-row space? The EV9 was engineered for exactly that. Want the lowest EV price around plus Tesla's own Supercharger network, and five seats covers you? The Model Y makes a solid case for that different type of buyer.
Can you get a third row in the Tesla Model Y?⌄
Starting in 2026, Tesla brought an optional third row back to the Model Y, restricted to the Premium AWD Long Range trim for an added $2,500. Picture a small, largely child-sized seat rather than a full adult-capable row. The EV9 skips the upcharge entirely: 7 seats come standard on every trim, built into the base price. Tesla also unveiled a stretched Model Y L with a genuine 6-seat third row, though as of this writing it's limited to one Launch Series trim starting at $61,990 and isn't yet broadly available.
Which costs less, the Kia EV9 or the Tesla Model Y?⌄
The Model Y, without question. It starts at $39,990 for the Standard RWD, considerably below the EV9's $54,900 starting point. That's the size difference showing up on the price tag: the Model Y is the smaller, 2-row vehicle of the pair. Anyone comparing the two should weigh that roughly $14,910 gap against whether the EV9's standard 3-row, 7-passenger seating is actually needed.
How do the EV9's and Model Y's warranties compare?⌄
Kia's coverage runs considerably longer. Every EV9 comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty. Tesla's basic warranty tops out at 4 years/50,000 miles, with an 8-year/100,000-to-120,000-mile battery and drive unit warranty varying by trim — shorter than Kia's terms in every category.
Does the EV9 out-tow the Model Y?⌄
It does. AWD EV9 trims handle up to 5,000 pounds with the optional tow package installed. The Model Y is rated for up to 3,500 pounds using Tesla's factory tow hitch, an add-on costing roughly $1,350. Neither qualifies as heavy-duty, but the EV9 holds the clear advantage.
Where does the Tesla Model Y outperform the EV9?⌄
A handful of legitimate points, for the right buyer: a starting price roughly $14,910 lower, direct access to Tesla's own Supercharger network rather than a shared one, and better range-per-dollar on its Premium RWD trim (up to 357 miles). Shoppers who don't need a third row and want the most efficient, most budget-friendly EV crossover Tesla makes will find a strong option here. What it can't do is what the EV9 handles daily: carry seven people across three genuine rows.
Where near Hattiesburg, MS can I compare the EV9 and Model Y?⌄
Dean McCrary Kia, at 7124 US Hwy 98 in Hattiesburg, keeps the complete EV9 lineup in stock and serves shoppers throughout Forrest, Lamar, Covington, and Perry counties, including nearby Petal, Oak Grove, and Purvis. Come to the Hub City and experience the difference genuine 3-row space makes firsthand.
EV9 vs Model Y · Pine Belt
Need a Genuine 3-Row Electric SUV Near Hattiesburg?
Dean McCrary Kia keeps Pine Belt families across Forrest, Lamar, Covington, and Perry counties supplied with the area's deepest EV9 selection. Weighing the Tesla Model Y too? Here's why local shoppers start their search right 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 and Kia's full factory warranty on every new EV9
- Kia-certified service, 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, a 3-row midsize SUV, to the 2026 Tesla Model Y, a compact 2-row crossover — a real size and segment gap the copy above states directly rather than treating the two as equivalent peers. Specs and pricing were gathered from manufacturer sources (kia.com, tesla.com), Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and automotive press coverage (Electrek, Cars.com, Engadget), current as of publication. MSRP listed is base, before destination, taxes, title, and dealer fees; AWD, Performance, 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. The Model Y's optional third-row seat and the separate, limited-availability Model Y L reflect Tesla's publicly announced 2026 lineup as of publication.
Tesla, Model Y, Model Y L, Autopilot, Full Self-Driving, and Supercharger remain trademarks of Tesla, 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 Tesla Model Y Comparison — Dean McCrary Kia, Hattiesburg MS
The Kia EV9 is a 3-row midsize electric SUV; the Tesla Model Y is a compact 2-row crossover with only a small, optional third row. This comparison states that size difference directly instead of treating the two as equivalents. The EV9 leads on standard seating (7 seats standard, every trim, vs the Model Y's 5-seat standard with a $2,500 child-sized 3rd-row option on one trim), max towing (5,000 vs 3,500 pounds), and warranty (10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and EV battery coverage vs Tesla's 4-year/50,000-mile basic term). The Model Y leads on starting price (about $39,990 vs $54,900), EPA-estimated range on its Premium RWD trim (up to 357 vs 305 miles), and access to its own Supercharger network. Dean McCrary Kia in Hattiesburg, Mississippi carries the EV9 lineup, serving Forrest, Lamar, Covington, and Perry counties, including Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, and Columbia.