BYD Tang or Kia EV9: which 7-seat electric SUV in Belgium?

My sister-in-law runs a travel agency. Nine people in the extended family, two weekends a year in Wallonia, and a structural need to transport seven people without renting a van. She asked for my opinion between the Tang and the EV9. I spent two hours comparing the numbers. Here's what I found.

What is the real price difference between the BYD Tang and Kia EV9 in Belgium?

The BYD Tang lists at €72,000 in Belgium, with a regular commercial discount of €7,200, bringing it to roughly €64,800 for a private buyer.

The Kia EV9 starts at higher levels — expect €75,000 to €87,000 depending on the version and options, with mid-range trims typically falling between €80,000 and €85,000.

The price gap: €15,000 to €20,000 in the Tang's favour. That's a serious argument. But the equation over 5 years is more complex.

What real-world range on a typical Belgian family trip?

The manufacturer's figure is useful. The real-world figure is what matters:

BYD Tang: 530 km WLTP with a 108.8 kWh LFP Blade battery. In real Belgian conditions — 5 passengers, luggage, motorway and national roads — expect 380 to 420 km. On the E40 in January with the heating on, count on 340 to 360 km. The large battery compensates for the high consumption (~24 kWh/100 km real-world).

Kia EV9: 505 to 563 km WLTP, 99.8 kWh battery. More efficient (19.5 kWh/100 km WLTP), which translates to 420 to 470 km in real-world mixed conditions. On the motorway in winter with 7 passengers, the EV9 uses noticeably less energy than the Tang — and that changes the picture on long trips.

The boot: a gap that matters with 7 passengers

With the Tang, the boot behind the third row measures 235 litres. That's tight — barely enough for a few backpacks. With the third row folded (5-seat mode), you get a much more respectable volume.

The Kia EV9 does better: 333 litres behind the third row, and up to 2,318 litres with all seats folded. For an Ardennes weekend with 7 people, that's the difference between a functional boot and a forced game of Tetris.

Charging on the road: 170 kW vs 240 kW

The Tang accepts 170 kW DC — CCS compatible, so it works on every fast charger in Belgium (Ionity, Fastned, Allego). Thirty minutes from 20 to 80% on an Ionity charger is a reasonable coffee stop.

The Kia EV9 GT pushes up to 240 kW on the most powerful versions. In practice on the current Belgian network, most chargers cap at 150–200 kW — the theoretical gap narrows under real conditions.

The Tang is the pleasant surprise: more power, more battery, lower price. The EV9 is the safe bet: better efficiency, bigger boot, more predictable depreciation. They're not aimed at the same buyer.

The real question: resale value

This is where the calculation gets complicated. In Belgium, Korean brands (Kia, Hyundai) hold structurally better residual values than Chinese brands on the used market. A 3-year-old EV9 retains around 55–60% of its value. For the Tang, current estimates hover around 45–50%.

On a vehicle worth €65,000, the resale difference can amount to €5,000 to €7,000. That significantly reduces the Tang's initial price advantage.

Verdict — which one to choose in Belgium?

Choose the BYD Tang if: budget is a key criterion, you mainly drive mixed trips under 400 km, and resale value matters less to you (buying without plans to sell, or a company lease). The power-to-price ratio is exceptional in this segment.

Choose the Kia EV9 if: you want a third row that's genuinely usable, a boot suited to 7 passengers plus luggage, better motorway efficiency, and predictable residual value over 4 years. The higher purchase price is partly offset at resale.

To estimate your actual total cost over 5 years, try our TCO simulator.