2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Ford Explorer

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold evolution in Kia's electric vehicle lineup, showcasing a design that was both familiar and futuristic. Its exterior maintained the brand's signature style, enhanced with a modern, blocky aesthetic reminiscent of digital clock numbers. The vehicle's lighting signature was particularly striking, featuring the "Star Map" daytime running lights and a "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The top trims, Land and GT-Line, offered a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, adding a constellation of light points visible only when the vehicle was on. The interior of the EV9 felt spacious and airy, with dual sunroofs and comfortable SynTex seating surfaces. The eight-way power-adjustable front seats and additional customizations in higher trims contributed to a comfortable driving experience.

In contrast, the 2025 Ford Explorer continued its evolution with a refreshed design that enhanced its rugged appeal. The front end was restyled to give the SUV a wider and more robust appearance, while new LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added a modern touch. Inside, the Explorer's updates significantly improved its ambiance, with competitive materials and design. Ford reduced the number of trim levels to four, including the new base trim called Active, the sporty ST-Line, the luxurious Platinum, and the performance-tuned ST. During a driving event in Michigan, the ST-Line with RWD and additional packages demonstrated a balance of style and performance, offering a comfortable ride with commendable handling.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the Light trim's single motor RWD setup, producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. The Light Long Range model, with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, provided a range of 304 miles but reduced horsepower to 201. The AWD trims, Wind and Land, featured dual motors generating 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 its handling was stable, with adjustable regenerative braking enhancing the driving experience. Fast charging capabilities allowed the EV9 to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. The standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, standard on the ST and optional on the Platinum, delivered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Explorers featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with 4WD available. The ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Explorer's powertrain provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic offered decisive shifts. The ST-Line's performance was enhanced with larger wheels and performance brakes, while the Explorer ST showcased its capabilities on a short autocross course. The Platinum trim with the V6 engine offered fast acceleration and a pleasant sound, with observed fuel economy of 22.9 mpg.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride, BMW X7, and Rivian R1S. Third-row legroom ranged from 30.8 to 32.0 inches, depending on the middle row's configuration. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers with a second-row bench seat, although this configuration was not available for testing. Cargo space was competitive, with 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 interior featured a "floating" center console, with storage space optimized for convenience.

The 2025 Ford Explorer accommodated six people in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and the Premium Package, which added ambient lighting, massage seats, and a power-folding third row. The front seats were comfortable, with breathable fabric inserts, while the second-row captain's chairs offered similar comfort. The third row was less accommodating for adults, but suitable for children. Cargo space was competitive, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet.

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. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system and a head-up display. The EV9's connectedness was notable, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing owners to purchase additional features and upgrades, enhancing the vehicle's customization and future-proofing.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and web browser apps provided internet access. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers in the Platinum and ST trims. The Ford Digital Experience was user-friendly, with Google Maps integration and app downloads through Google Play.

The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning and stop-and-go capabilities. Standard features included blind-spot collision avoidance assist and forward collision avoidance, while higher trims offered additional safety features like the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist. The EV9 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured Ford CoPilot 360+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and other common driver assistance systems. The ST-Line and higher trims offered Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, with a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise performed well in testing, although it showed some inconsistency in certain situations. The NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, but it received five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.