Gas vs Electric · Head-to-head running cost
Kia EV9 vs Toyota Highlander: what it really costs to run
The Kia EV9 and Toyota Highlander are both three-row family SUVs, but one plugs in at about 2.6 mi/kWh and the other burns regular at roughly 24 mpg, so the calculator below is already set to both to show what each really costs to run.
When you come out ahead
Showing cumulative fuel savings. Add the two cars' prices in the controls to plot your exact break-even point.
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The EV9 isn't an efficiency champ by EV standards; at about 2.6 mi/kWh it's a big, heavy three-row hauler, not a compact hatchback. But it doesn't have to be efficient to win here, because it's replacing a Highlander that returns only about 24 mpg. Charged at home near the average electricity rate, the EV9's cost per mile lands well below what the Highlander spends on regular. That gap comes from the fuel itself, not from the EV9 sipping electrons.
The catch is the sticker. Starting around $56,000, the EV9 opens a wide price gap over a Highlander that begins near $40,000, and the federal EV credit that once softened that ended September 30, 2025, so only state or utility incentives you'd have to check locally may still apply. The per-mile fuel savings chip away at that gap as you drive, so break-even hinges on your annual mileage and how much you charge at home versus at pricier public fast-chargers.
What to keep in mind
- The EV9's ~2.6 mi/kWh looks modest, but the real comparison is the Highlander's ~24 mpg, and cheap home electricity still beats regular gas per mile.
- Lean on public DC fast-charging instead of home charging and the EV9's per-mile edge over the Highlander shrinks fast.
- The roughly $56k vs $40k starting gap is the EV9's hurdle; more annual miles are what pay it back.
Kia EV9 vs Toyota Highlander: common questions
Does the EV9 really cost less per mile than a Highlander if it only gets 2.6 mi/kWh?
Yes, in most home-charging cases. At the average home rate near $0.17/kWh, 2.6 mi/kWh still comes out well under what a ~24 mpg Highlander pays for regular gas at about $3.30/gallon. The calculator above shows the exact figures for your own rates.
How long until the EV9 makes up its higher price over the Highlander?
It depends on your miles and charging habits. The EV9 starts around $56,000 versus about $40,000 for the Highlander, and the per-mile fuel savings close that gap gradually. More annual miles and mostly home charging get you to break-even sooner.