Kia EV9 vs. Grand Highlander Hybrid: The Real 5-Year Cost Gap
By Morgan Ellis, Editor at GearUp Insights — Updated August 17, 2026
Quick answer: At national-average prices, a 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD costs $17,064 less to own over five years than a 2026 Kia EV9 Wind AWD — $39,194 versus $56,258. The gap is wider than in compact EV-vs-hybrid comparisons because the EV9's efficiency (84 MPGe combined) is far lower than a compact EV's, while the Grand Highlander Hybrid still gets 34 mpg combined even in AWD form. Under national-average conditions, the EV doesn't become the cheaper choice until you're driving more than 120,000 miles a year.
What do these two vehicles actually cost to buy?
Three-row family SUVs, one electric and one hybrid, both in a comparable AWD mid-trim.
- 2026 Kia EV9 Wind AWD: $65,495 MSRP, 283-mile EPA range, 99.8 kWh battery, 84 MPGe combined (roughly 2.5 mi/kWh) — noticeably less efficient than a compact EV because of the EV9's size and weight.
- 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD: $53,705 MSRP with destination, roughly 34 mpg combined (36 mpg in front-wheel-drive form, with about a 2 mpg penalty for AWD).
That's an $11,790 gap at the dealership before a single mile is driven — wider than the Model Y vs. RAV4 Hybrid gap, because three-row EVs carry a bigger price premium over their hybrid equivalents than compact crossovers do.
How does the 5-year cost break down?
We ran both vehicles through our EV vs Hybrid 5-Year Cost Calculator using national-average electricity and gas prices, AAA-based maintenance and insurance estimates, and iSeeCars' 2026 depreciation data by vehicle category.
| Cost category (5 years, 12,000 mi/yr) | Kia EV9 Wind AWD | Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD |
|---|
| Purchase price | $65,495 | $53,705 |
| Fuel/energy basis | Electricity, 85% home / 15% public | Gasoline at $4.07/gal |
| Maintenance | $4,500 ($900/yr) | $5,500 ($1,100/yr) |
| Insurance | $9,000 ($1,800/yr) | $7,500 ($1,500/yr) |
| 5-year depreciation | 57.2% of MSRP (iSeeCars EV avg.) | 35.4% of MSRP (iSeeCars hybrid avg.) |
| 5-year total cost of ownership | $56,258 | $39,194 |
Calculated by GearUp using EIA, AAA, and iSeeCars 2026 depreciation data, accessed August 17, 2026.
At 12,000 miles a year, the Grand Highlander Hybrid is cheaper by $17,064 over five years — the largest gap GearUp has calculated in this series so far. The EV9's per-mile energy cost advantage isn't large enough to offset a nearly $12,000 purchase-price gap plus a much steeper depreciation curve on a $65,000 vehicle.
Why is the gap bigger than the Model Y vs. RAV4 Hybrid comparison?
Two things compound here that don't apply to smaller vehicles:
- The EV9 is a heavy three-row EV. At 84 MPGe combined, it's far less efficient than a compact EV crossover — hauling three rows and a bigger battery costs range and efficiency, which shrinks the EV's per-mile cost advantage over the hybrid.
- Three-row hybrids are already very efficient. The Grand Highlander Hybrid's 34 mpg combined, even in AWD form, is close to what a compact hybrid sedan gets, thanks to Toyota's hybrid system doing most of the low-speed work. There's less gas-cost pain for the EV to save you from.
- The dollar gap compounds on a bigger sticker price. A percentage-based depreciation gap (57.2% vs. 35.4%) means far more real dollars lost on a $65,495 vehicle than on a $46,000 one.
What would change this result?
- Higher mileage. Even at 20,000 miles a year, the hybrid stays cheaper by a wide margin — the EV9's break-even point of roughly 120,000 miles a year is far beyond any realistic annual mileage.
- Cheap home electricity. States with electricity well under the $0.1844/kWh national average narrow the gap, but not by anywhere near enough to close $17,000 at typical mileage.
- Free workplace charging. Removes a meaningful chunk of the EV9's running cost, but the purchase-price and depreciation gap dominate this comparison far more than in smaller vehicles.
- Very long ownership (10+ years). The EV9's lower per-mile running cost has more time to compound, though the depreciation hit already happened in years one through five.
- Federal or state EV incentives. The federal EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025, and a handful of state rebates remain, but none are large enough on their own to close a gap this size.
Who should actually buy which one?
- Families needing three-row space on a budget: The Grand Highlander Hybrid is the clear financial choice — cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and it holds its value far better.
- Buyers who need towing or off-grid power: The EV9 offers vehicle-to-home backup power and strong towing capability the Grand Highlander Hybrid can't match — a non-cost reason to still choose the EV.
- High-mileage drivers (20,000+ mi/year) with cheap home charging: The gap narrows some, but rarely closes within a realistic ownership window — run your own numbers with our calculator.
- Buyers cross-shopping on tech and drivetrain feel: The EV9's instant torque, quiet cabin, and Supercharger access are real advantages that don't show up in a cost table.
How we calculated this
GearUp used its EV vs Hybrid 5-Year Cost Calculator, with:
- Gas price: $4.07/gallon, AAA national average, August 13, 2026.
- Electricity: $0.1844/kWh, EIA residential average, May 2026 (latest available at publish time).
- Charging mix: 85% home / 15% public fast charging, at $0.42/kWh public rate (AAA, August 6, 2026).
- Charging loss: 0% — EPA-rated MPGe is measured from the wall and already includes charger losses.
- Maintenance and insurance: AAA Your Driving Costs fallback estimates. Insurance for a $65,000+ EV in particular can run meaningfully higher than these averages in some states — get a real quote before deciding.
- Depreciation: iSeeCars' 2026 5-year depreciation study, by vehicle category (EVs average 57.2% depreciation; hybrids average 35.4%). Individual-model resale can differ from the category average.
Limitations: This compares MSRP, not negotiated or incentivized price, and doesn't include state EV rebates (the federal EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025 — see our breakdown of what that means for EV buyers). It uses national averages for electricity, gas, insurance, and maintenance, which vary by state. It assumes a 5-year hold and doesn't account for financing costs.
Try it with your own numbers
Your state's electricity rate, your actual insurance quote, and your real annual mileage will all move this result. Run your own scenario in the EV vs Hybrid 5-Year Cost Calculator, or see how the Tesla Model Y vs. RAV4 Hybrid comparison looks for smaller crossovers.