"We're above": Why Kia thinks the EV9 and EV6 have the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y beat in Australia as electric vehicle wars heat up

Kia Australia says there are several key areas its vehicles are "above" Tesla's best-selling models in Australia, listing the reasons customers would buy an EV6 or EV9 over the Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model Y.

Elon Musk's electric vehicles are the best-selling EVs in the country, but it must also be pointed out that it hasn't been the fairest of fights either.

There's no doubting Tesla's enduring popularity, but brands like Kia and Hyundai - as well as Toyota and Subaru - have struggled with low stock or delayed launches, and the Korean brands have long had more customers than cars.

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But with production now freeing up for the EV6, and wait times dropping from six to nine months to just eight to 12 weeks, the brand has pointed out the areas it thinks it outshines its Tesla rivals.

Key among them is the brand's successful local ride and handling program - which has just been completed on the EV9 - which it says delivers vehicles tailored for Australian roads and conditions.

"It's definitely our ride and handling, first and foremost. It's quite fortuitous that we're having this conversation against the backdrop of talking of ride and handling (with the EV9)", says Kia Australia's GM of Marketing, Dean Norbiato.

"The feedback we're getting is that, from a tech standpoint, we absolutely compete. From a finish standpoint, we're above, from ride and handling standpoint, we're above.

The EV9 has gone through Kia's local ride and handling program, which has tailed it for Australian roads and conditions.

"So we're gonna lean into those USPs, especially for the EV6 – I think that's been the sharp edge of our EV innovation. And that's really set the tone, and EV9 has comfortable followed that."

The claims follow good news for anyone either in the queue for a Kia EV, or about to get in it, with the brand's campaign for more production from Kia HQ paying off, and Australian executives promising the wait time for new customers is around 12 weeks, or even less.

"The exciting news on EV6 is, and it's a weekly thing, but it looks like we've had some wins on EV6 from a supply standpoint," Norbiato says.

"We expect the back end of this year to have the best level of supply with the award-winning EV6 we've ever had."