2024 Kia EV9 vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its appeal lay in its classic, boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4, which customers favored over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was a tribute to good industrial design, with its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors set parallel to the ground, creating a classic truck aesthetic. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by tasteful accents that nodded to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9 marked a new era for Kia's electric vehicles, with a design that was both distinctly Kia and cutting-edge. Its exterior featured a blockier look reminiscent of a digital clock's numbers, with body lines following the octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window. The EV9's lighting signature was a standout feature, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights outlining the new "Digital Tiger Face" and LED headlights appearing as clusters of dashes or dots, depending on the trim. The top trims, Land and GT-Line, featured a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille with a constellation of smaller light points. The EV9's wheels continued the blocky theme, with the base 19-inch wheels offering a sense of motion and aerodynamics, while the Land trim's 20-inch wheels and GT-Line's 21-inchers featured geometric patterns.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with features like incredible wheel articulation, generous clearance, and a Terrain Response 2 system that adapted the vehicle's powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's engine options included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, with the latter delivering 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder achieved 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the Light trim's single motor, rear-wheel-drive setup producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. The Light Long Range model featured a larger 99.8-kWh battery, reducing horsepower to 201 but increasing range to 304 miles. The higher trims, Wind and Land, came with all-wheel drive and dual motors, producing 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 280 miles. The GT-Line trim prioritized performance, offering 516 lb-ft of torque and a range of 270 miles. The EV9's power delivery was smooth and refined, with good handling and adjustable regenerative braking.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's interior featured large glass windows for excellent visibility and various roof options, including a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Defender also offered numerous off-road accessories and features like a console refrigerator and a heated windshield.

The 2024 Kia EV9's standout feature was its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and 30.8 to 32.0 inches of legroom. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 81.7 cubic feet with only the front-row seats in place. The EV9's interior featured a "floating" center console, wireless charging, and ample storage space for second-row passengers.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with options for a 10-inch or 11.4-inch screen. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. Higher trims offered additional features like a Meridian stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. The Defender's technology package was comprehensive, with options for a digital instrument panel and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Kia EV9 took technology to the next level with a three-screen curved display, including a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with higher trims offering a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system. The EV9's connectedness was a highlight, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing owners to purchase additional features and upgrades.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It came equipped with six airbags and standard safety features like lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. The EV9 had not yet been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP. Higher trims offered additional safety features like the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist.