2024 Kia EV9 vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold and futuristic design, setting a new standard for Kia EVs while maintaining a distinct Kia SUV identity. Its exterior featured blocky lines reminiscent of a digital clock's numbers, with octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window. The lighting signature was a standout feature, with "Star Map" daytime running lights and LED headlights in unique patterns. The top trims, Land and GT-Line, boasted a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille with customizable lighting patterns. The EV9's interior felt airy and fresh, enhanced by a light gray two-tone color scheme and dual sunroofs. The vehicle offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, and higher trims provided additional customizations. The SynTex seating surfaces were comfortable, and the fabric lining the chairbacks and door cards was durable.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. The Range Rover Sport's performance was commendable, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. It achieved an average of 22.3 mpg on the evaluation route. The SUV's architecture provided a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads.

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 battery, reducing horsepower to 201 but extending the range to 304 miles. The dual-motor powertrain in the Wind and Land trims delivered 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 280 miles. The GT-Line prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a range of 270 miles. The EV9's power delivery was smooth and refined, with good handling and minimal body roll. Its regenerative braking system was adjustable, offering a natural feel comparable to gas-powered vehicles. The EV9's fast charging capability allowed it to go from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, and narrow door openings posed challenges. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage within the cabin was decent, with a deep bin under the center armrest and a handy contraption to prevent items from rolling in the cargo hold.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and 30.8 to 32.0 inches of legroom. It could seat up to seven passengers with a second-row bench seat. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front-row seats in place. The EV9 featured a high and flat load floor, making luggage retrieval easier. Storage space up front was adequate, with a floating center console and a large open compartment on the floor. Second-row passengers in higher trims enjoyed a large drawer and tray table.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding nearby locations. On a positive note, the Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts of power, along with a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2024 Kia EV9 took the curved screen concept to the next level with three screens in a single curved display. It featured a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio sound system. The EV9's connectedness was noteworthy, with over-the-air update capability and the Kia Connect store for purchasing additional features. This allowed for future customization and upgrades, making the EV9 a forward-thinking choice.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond, and the steering assist technology was dissatisfactory, especially on freeway curves with inconsistent lane lines.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems as standard, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning and stop-and-go capabilities. Blind-spot collision avoidance assist and forward collision avoidance were also standard. The EV9 had not yet been rated for safety by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it received the highest available rating from Euro NCAP.