Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class vs Kia EV9

What's the difference?

Like I said right from the start, this new, hybrid version of the AMG GLC63 is technically superior to the model it replaces in every meaningful way. It is faster, more powerful and more fuel efficient and therefore a better performance SUV than the model it replaces.

Is it a better model than the one it replaces? Ultimately that will come down to how much stock you put into the soundtrack and your feelings on an AMG not powered by a V8 engine.

Because if you can see past that, then the AMG GLC63 is an absolutely fantastic performance SUV. Not only does the new powertrain make it faster in a straight line, but the chassis is very well-balanced, making for an engaging driving experience.

For those who can look past the smaller engine they will be rewarded with an incredibly fast and rewarding-to-drive member of the AMG family.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Whether you think the EV9 GT is an over-priced mistake or the logical next step for a brand looking to move up in the world will depend on your point-of-view.

Kia has certainly extended the appeal of the EV9 range, but possibly in the wrong direction. Certainly the wrong direction if the goal is to add significantly more sales.

A cheaper alternative to the $97,000 EV9 Air would likely be a more popular choice from the point-of-view of Australian families considering replacing their diesel-powered SUVs with something that doesn’t rely on the chaotic fuel market. 

But that’s not really who the EV9 GT will appeal to. Instead, from the point-of-view of someone looking at a more expensive European option, whether it be an Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX or something else, the EV9 GT may be appealing in a very different way - assuming that they aren't driven by what badge is on the front.

Kia has certainly evolved beyond its ‘cheap and cheerful’ image or buying primarily for its long warranty. These days Kia is a mainstream brand, but whether it has enhanced its reputation enough to attract buyers willing to spend more than $130,000 will be decided in the showroom.

The GLC63 is unmistakably an AMG from the moment you first lay eyes on it. That’s thanks to the AMG-specific elements, starting with the grille with vertical strikes and the AMG crest on the bonnet; which is now a signature item for the performance sub-brand.

The GLC63 is also fitted with the Night Package II design kit; this adds a darkened grille and black chrome badging to further enhance its visual appeal.

The AMG-specific alloy wheels and more aggressive stance do mean the GLC63 stands out from the rest of the GLC range, helping it look fast even when it’s standing still.

Surprisingly, given the price premium and flagship nature of the GT, there isn’t a lot to separate it from the slightly less expensive GT-Line.

It’s only when you look closer you notice subtle touches, like the ‘digital grille’, an illuminated section of the front of the car that extends the lighting signature when you start the car. The other obvious difference is the unique and huge set of 21-inch alloy wheels at each corner. The black design is offset by bright green brake calipers, which is a unique colour for the GT.

This signature fluro green colour is also on the seat trim, including contrasting stitching, as well as the GT badge on the (three-spoke) steering wheel that engages the most potent version of the electric motors.

Inside the GLC63 is clearly a derivative of the rest of the range, with its C-Class-inspired design and layout, but there’s enough AMG-specific elements to ensure it looks and feels special. This starts with the AMG steering wheel, which comes not only with a thick rim wrapped in Alcantara, but also some AMG special dials to adjust the various performance settings for the powertrain, suspension and transmission.

Then there are the AMG-specific seats, which look good and offer good support for the driver and front seat passenger. The rear seats offer decent space for what is a mid-size SUV, with room enough for two adults or teenagers or three smaller kids.

Those in the back aren’t particularly well looked after though, with only rear air-con vents and small door pockets but no USB charging ports or other small item storage.

The boot is 590 litres, down from 620L in the rest of the range, thanks to the addition of the rear-mounted electric motor. There’s also no room for the temporary spare the rest of the GLC range gets and instead you have to make do with a puncture repair kit.

In terms of practicality, space and usability, the EV9 GT does a lot to justify its price tag, with a cabin the equal of anything the luxury brands offer, at least in terms of the level of equipment available.

The sporty seats have adjustable side bolsters to either hug you tight for dynamic driving or open up and let you get comfortable for relaxed commutes. The front seats are heated and ventilated and also include a two-way power adjustable leg rest, for even greater support.

Those in the second row are treated to two 'captains' chairs with heating and ventilation as well, plus a massage function and the leg rest, which creates a ‘business class’ vibe for the lucky passengers.

The second-row occupants also get sun blinds (albeit manual), separate air-conditioning controls and access to USB-C charging ports in the backs of the front seats.

Accommodation in the third row is a little tight, but if the second row compromises legroom slightly you’re able to fit six occupants in relative comfort.

Those in the front get their own sunroof but there’s a second, larger sunroof to bring light into the passenger section.

In terms of the multimedia system, it’s run through the twin 12.3-inch digital screens, which are housed in a single panel to create the impression it is one large display. This is the usual Kia system, which is very easy to navigate and has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, if you prefer. 

As a major plus, there are physical buttons for the climate control and a power/volume scroll wheel for the sound system. There’s also an on/off button for the car, which is a small feature but another welcome, user-friendly touch.

As for the boot, well, with all six seats in use there’s only 333 litres of space, which isn’t massive, but that’s why Kia sells the Carnival. For an SUV with seven occupants, 333L is alright.

If you only need five seats you can liberate a more generous 828L, which is really good. It’s a nice, roomy and open cargo space.

If you really need to carry a lot of stuff and not many people, you have 2393L with the second and third row seats stowed.

On top of this, there’s a small 52L frunk, which isn’t very big but it’s a good spot to stash the charging cable. Which oddly is not where Kia actually stores it, instead there is a small bag/box which is just velcroed to the boot floor.

Given the EV9 is a purpose-built electric vehicle, why is the charging cable not stored in a more integrated manner? It’s only a small detail, and Kia isn’t alone in doing this, but I still find it odd that carmakers haven’t found a better way to deal with the EV cable yet, especially when the frunk makes so much sense as a permanent storage spot.

Starting at $129,250 before on-road costs, the EV9 GT is the most expensive model Kia has ever offered in Australia.

Whether by accident or design it takes Kia into uncharted territory and legitimately has the brand competing with European alternatives. For example, the Volvo EX90 (from $124,990) is cheaper, as is a Polestar 3 (from $118,420) while the Audi Q8 e-tron (from $140,090) and BMW iX (from $142,900) are within $15,000.

That means that, perhaps for the first time ever, Kia will be cross-shopped against Europe's finest. Does it live up to that expectation?

Well, to help justify the price, the EV9 GT gets a more powerful motor, electronically controlled suspension and is loaded with technology and creature comforts inside.

This includes a standard six-seat layout, a 14-speaker Meridian Premium sound system, Kia Connect Telematics, in-built satellite navigation with 10 years of live traffic information and map updates, wireless phone charging and ambient mood lighting. But there is much, much more, as we’ll detail throughout the review.

So if you’re looking for an affordable EV to help take some financial pressure off, unless you’re stepping down from something European and very expensive, this won’t likely help.

But, if you’re looking for an upgrade in that $130k-$150k price range, and are ‘badge agnostic’ for that price, then maybe the EV9 GT is right for you. 

But no matter which way you look at it, this is an expensive Kia and it will be a real test for how far it has come if it can find buyers willing to spend this much on the brand once famous for cars $100,000 cheaper.

This is what lies at the heart of the AMG GLC63’s success or failure. As I mentioned at the beginning, the previous generation’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been replaced by an F1-inspired plug-in hybrid powertrain.

But don’t think that means AMG is suddenly focused on efficiency over performance. When AMG says the powertrain is inspired by the brand’s success in Formula 1 racing, what it means is the battery and electric motor provides a significant performance boost to support the internal combustion engine, not just save fuel.

To that end the combination of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the rear-mounted electric motor produces an impressive 500kW and 1020Nm. That’s a massive jump over the 375kW/700Nm made by the outgoing V8.

What’s under the bonnet, well technically underneath the front and back of the SUV, is what really separates the GT from the rest of the EV9 range.

The GT gets more powerful motors, boosting performance to 374kW of power and 740Nm of torque, which is a 92kW and 40Nm upgrade over the EV9 GT-Line.

Kia claims the GT can sprint 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, nearly a full second faster than the GT-Line, and will keep going all the way to 220km/h. That’s really fast for such a big SUV, some might even say unnecessarily fast for a family-focused SUV, but given the asking price, adding extra performance is a logical move.

Mercedes makes no secret that the battery is designed for performance, not saving fuel. It only has a 14km EV range but can recharge quickly on the move to provide a power boost when needed.

But despite all that, the GLC63 is actually significantly more fuel efficient than the old V8, using a claimed 7.3L/100km, which is a massive 4.9L/100km improvement over the old model. Although, on our day-long test drive we didn’t manage to come close to that claimed figure and instead saw returns around 11L/100km, albeit after a lot of spirited open-road driving.

The GT gets the same 99.8kWh battery as the GT-Line, but Kia claims the new flagship has a slightly longer driving range, but only 510km compared to 505km.

In the real world, the car’s own trip computer read around 480km when we collected it, but suggested with maximum efficiency (air-con off, driven in Eco mode, etc) we could reach more than 500km.

Energy consumption is rated 21.7kWh, but the EV9 GT was showing 24.2kWh on the trip computer. 

According to Kia, it can take up to 350kW of DC fast charging, which means a theoretical charging time from 10-80 per cent of just 24 minutes. Using a 50kW charger will extend that time to 83 minutes.

Again, in the real-world, using an Evie public charger we were able to add 42.1kWh in just under 34 minutes on a 75kW charger, taking the battery from 40 to 77 per cent.

Anyone who still believes in the adage ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ hasn’t driven a modern turbocharged and hybridised engine. The GLC63 is a demonstration of the metaphorical and literal power of modern technology, combining an extremely efficient and potent internal combustion engine with an electric motor to make enormous real-world performance.

To be blunt, the GLC63 feels like a rocketship out of corners, launching with a ferocity and relentlessness the old V8 simply can’t match. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, a mid-size SUV with 1020Nm was always going to have plenty of performance, but even so it’s a shock to the system every time you give the GLC63 full throttle. Officially AMG claims it takes just 3.5 seconds to run 0-100km/h and has an electronically limited top speed of 275km/h - mighty impressive figures for a five-seat mid-size SUV.

To help get all that torque to the road, AMG deploys torque distribution technology that allows for it to be split an even 50/50 front/rear all the way to 100 per cent to the rear tyres.

Other technologies deployed to enhance its handling include AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping and rear-axle steering. There’s also eight AMG Dynamic Select driving modes and four AMG Dynamics settings (Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master), so it’s a complex vehicle that is designed for the enthusiast.

While it’s easy to drive around town, once you get out on the open road you can really get a sense of the GLC63’s performance potential. Beyond just its powertrain the suspension offers good body control and the rear-axle steering helps it feel agile and responsive. 

It’s not perfect though. At times the complexity of the system does lead to some hesitation when you put your foot down. It certainly lacks the linear power delivery of the old V8 and makes for a slightly trickier driving experience at times.

As for the sound, which is one of the biggest elements missing from the V8, Mercedes has added AMG Real Performance Sound, which features a pressure sensor in the exhaust that picks up on the engine note and plays it through the speaker system. It certainly helps make for a louder, more noticeable engine noise, but it still sounds more like an A45 than the previous GLC63 and for many would-be buyers, that’s a major turn-off.

On paper the EV9 GT sounds great if you’re into performance - 374kW and 740Nm is a lot for any type of car, even a big SUV. There’s no questioning that the EV9 GT is very, very fast, with that near-instant surge forward when you squeeze the accelerator in ‘GT’ mode.

But it is probably worth questioning the value of such a powerful and fast electric SUV, given the EV9 is clearly focused on being family friendly rather than a track weapon. To be perfectly candid, I rarely used the ‘GT’ mode because it just doesn’t suit the vast majority of driving conditions you’ll find yourself in driving an electric SUV.

I mean, you’ll never have an excuse for dropping the kids off at school late, but you’ll also likely rarely find yourself in a situation where you need to launch 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds too. Obviously the performance is nice to have and helps to justify the asking price, but in day-to-day driving it doesn’t really make a significant difference to the EV9 experience.

Because, when you don’t unleash all that performance, you find yourself in a very quiet and refined SUV. The cabin is well insulated from the outside world, so you do get a sense of luxury, which is a major positive.

The electronically controlled suspension does a nice job of providing a comfortable and relaxed ride even on the big 21-inch alloys. It also does a good job, most of the time, of hiding the weight of such a big, electric SUV, so the chassis and suspension development team have done a great job.

The digital mirrors were also helpful during this test. The first time I tested an EV9 with them I found them a bit odd to use, as the angle you’re looking at on the screen isn’t the actual perspective of the situation. But this time around I quickly adapted to them and can see the merits of such technology.

The EV9 GT has everything Kia can include from a safety perspective. That includes airbag coverage for all three rows (including a centre airbag between the front passengers), ISOFIX and top tethers for all four rear seats and Matrix LED intelligent front lights. 

There’s also all the usual active safety systems, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, safe exit warning, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, blind spot monitoring and 'Highway Drive Assist 2 with Lane Change Assist'.

That latter system, the ‘Drive Assist’ is good in theory, but Kia, like parent company Hyundai, still has some work to do on better calibrating and integrating some of these active safety elements. Yes, it’s great they have added the ability to mute the annoying speed limit sign recognition chime, but the Highway Drive Assist is still too jerky and adds a lot of unnatural weighting to the steering that makes freeway driving require more attention at times, rather than relieving the pressure on the driver.

This isn’t something specific to the EV9 either, it’s pretty typical across both the Kia and Hyundai range. While these systems are difficult to get right, it can be done, so a bit more work is needed to make it feel more seamless.

But overall, the EV9 GT comes loaded with all the safety equipment, both passive and active, that you should demand from a family-focused SUV, so credit to Kia for that.

The GLC63 is covered by Mercedes Australia’s usual five-year/unlimited kilometres warranty.

As for maintenance, Mercedes offers service plans, spanning three to five years. Three years will cost you $5025, $6455 for four years and five years is priced from $7180. Servicing intervals are 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.

The EV9 is covered by the usual seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, albeit with the battery only covered for seven years/150,000km.

Service internals are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and Kia offers pre-paid servicing plans from three to seven years. The three year plan will set you back $723, five years $1379 and seven years $2038.

That means the average cost actually increases the longer you’re covered, but even over seven years your yearly average is only $291 in maintenance.

One major positive for the brand’s owners is Kia has grown to 147 dealers nationally, with coverage across both metro and urban areas, with all service centres able to work on EVs. That means you’ll get the same ease-of-service whether you buy a petrol, diesel or electric Kia.