EV maker Rivian was spotted testing the direct competitor of its three-row SUV, R1S, the fully electric Kia EV9.
In a video shared on Instagram by ‘ChrisEditing,’ the EV9 is seen towing a trailer in Arizona with a Rivian sticker on the side, as the Irvine-based EV maker studies the model’s performance under load as part of its benchmarking program.
The EV9 can tow up to 5,000 pounds, with self-leveling rear suspension and a trailering mode designed to improve stability .
It is common practice in the auto industry for companies to purchase and test competitors’ vehicles for reverse engineering and evaluation.
The 2026 Kia EV9 lineup starts at $54,900 and remains eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits until the end of this month.
The SUV can be equipped with a 76.1-kWh battery providing 230 miles of range, or a larger 99.8-kWh pack enabling up to 305 miles in the Long Range RWD version.
Higher trims offer dual-motor all-wheel drive with up to 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, while a new GT version pushes output to a projected 501 horsepower with adaptive suspension .
Its 122-inch wheelbase, nearly matching that of some luxury vehicles, provides a spacious interior with seating for up to seven.
Kia advertises 160.3 cubic feet of passenger volume and 42.8 inches of second-row legroom — more than the Rivian R1S — and the cabin can be optioned with first- and second-row lounge seats, a 14-speaker audio system, and nearly 30 inches of digital displays across the cockpit.
By comparison, the Rivian R1S starts at $76,990.
The base Dual Standard model has 270 miles of EPA-estimated range, 533 horsepower, and a 0–60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.
The Dual Large version offers up to 410 miles of range with the Max battery and 665 horsepower.
The Tri-Motor, priced from $106,990, produces 850 horsepower and accelerates to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, while the Quad-Motor variant tops the lineup at $121,990, generating 1,025 horsepower with a 0–60 mph time of about 2.6 seconds .
The R1S measures 200.8 inches in length and 77.3 inches in height, with a 121.1-inch wheelbase and a width of 82 inches with mirrors folded .
That makes it longer, taller, and wider than the EV9, which comes in at 197.2 inches long and 68.9 inches tall.
Rivian emphasizes on its website the model’s off-road utility with approach and departure angles of 35.8 and 34.4 degrees.
As reported earlier on Friday, the company’s upcoming R2 SUV was spotted on Thursday at a Tesla Supercharger in Arizona.
The model features a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port on the rear driver’s side — the same placement used on Tesla vehicles.
The R2, set to enter production in the first half of 2026, will start at about $45,000 and is positioned to bring Rivian into a much broader segment of the EV market.
