2024 Kia EV9 vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2023 Lexus RX presented a refined evolution in its design, appearing shorter in height but broader in width, with a longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor. Despite maintaining the same overall length, the RX offered increased cargo space, though it still lagged behind some competitors. The reduction in rear overhang and softer design lines contributed to a smaller appearance, enhanced by the floating roof effect created by the down-sloping black trim on the rear pillar. The front showcased a more integrated spindle-style grille with a modern mesh texture, flowing into an elevated hood that swept back into the windshield pillars. The rear featured a light-blade taillight design and sporty bumper, maintaining a familiar yet fresh aesthetic that distinguished it from the previous generation and the smaller Lexus NX.

Inside, the RX boasted a modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice between a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. The inclusion of natural voice-recognition technology and an Intelligent Assistant made using the RX’s features more intuitive, though the latter required a subscription after three years. Quality materials such as NuLuxe artificial leather, genuine leather, simulated suede, real wood, and aluminum trims elevated the interior experience. The RX 350 was available in various trims, including Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Handling, with pricing expected to remain close to the previous model's base price of just over $47,000.

The 2024 Kia EV9 marked a bold step forward for Kia's electric vehicles, with a design that was both distinctly Kia and cutting-edge. Its blocky exterior, reminiscent of a digital clock's numbers, featured octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window. The lighting signature was a standout feature, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The top trims, Land and GT-Line, included a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille with customizable lighting patterns. The wheels continued the geometric theme, with the base 19-inch wheels offering a sense of motion and aerodynamics, while the higher trims featured more intricate designs.

Inside, the EV9 offered an airy and fresh feel, enhanced by a light gray two-tone interior and dual sunroofs. The front seats were power-adjustable, with additional customizations available in higher trims. The SynTex seating surfaces were comfortable, and the fabric lining the chairbacks and door cards was durable. The EV9's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with thoughtful storage solutions and a focus on passenger comfort.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered more torque and better high-altitude performance than the previous 3.5-liter V6, though it lacked the same smoothness and refinement. During testing, the RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion over uneven surfaces, while the F Sport Handling trim felt more secure, especially in Sport mode. Both models had 21-inch wheels with 235/50 all-season tires, but the F Sport Handling's adaptive suspension reduced unwanted motion. The RX 350 FWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the AWD version did so in 7.2 seconds. Fuel economy was expected to average 25 mpg for the FWD and 24 mpg for the AWD, though actual results were slightly lower.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Light trim was powered by a single motor, offering rear-wheel drive with 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and 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, had dual-motor AWD powertrains producing 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 GT-Line provided smooth power delivery and good handling, with adjustable regenerative braking and a one-pedal driving mode. Fast charging capability allowed the EV9 to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating, with the F Sport Handling package providing sport seat bolsters for better support during spirited driving. The RX 350 Luxury trim featured semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The F Sport Handling model had black NuLuxe simulated leather seats and Dark Graphite trim, with optional Rioja Red NuLuxe. Both models provided exceptional comfort, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX offered improved cargo space, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

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. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat available depending on the trim. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front seats in place. The EV9's high and flat load floor made loading and unloading easier. Storage space in the front was adequate, with a floating center console and a large open compartment on the floor.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and various connected services. Drive Connect, free for three years, offered Destination Assist and an Intelligent Assistant with natural voice recognition. User profiles allowed for personalized settings, and streaming services like Apple Music and Amazon Music were available. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system provided excellent audio quality. Digital instrumentation, Digital Latch door handles, and a digital rearview mirror were standard, with a color head-up display available.

The 2024 Kia EV9 featured a three-screen curved display, with a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad, were standard. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio sound system and a head-up display. The EV9's connectedness was a highlight, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing for feature upgrades and customization. This future-proofing approach offered flexibility for early adopters and used car buyers.

The 2023 Lexus RX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. New features included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve speed-reduction. Semi-autonomous technologies like Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist were also available. While LSS+ 3.0 was impressive, some features, like curve-speed reduction, were not predictive, and the HUD was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

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