2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Subaru Outback

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. Inside, the EV9 felt spacious and airy, with dual sunroofs and comfortable SynTex seating surfaces. The interior's light gray two-tone color scheme and power-adjustable front seats added to the sense of luxury and comfort.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S. market, embracing crossover trends with its rugged design. The Outback's exterior featured chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-like fascias, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The Crimson Red Pearl paint of the test car paired well with its black leather interior, though earthy shades were deemed more fitting for its adventurous spirit. Subaru focused on catering to buyers who needed a vehicle capable of handling dirt roads, a strategy that paid off with the Outback's popularity. The interior was practical, with a flat cargo area and a total passenger volume larger than many crossovers, offering ample space for both passengers and cargo.

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, with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, provided a range of 304 miles but reduced horsepower to 201. The higher trims, Wind and Land, featured dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems with 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, offering 280 miles of range. The GT-Line trim prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque but reduced range to 270 miles. The EV9's driving experience was smooth and refined, with adjustable regenerative braking and fast charging capabilities, though charging specifics were not tested.

The 2025 Subaru Outback came with two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, making it a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback's off-road capabilities were enhanced by 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's X-Mode, with the Wilderness model offering even more ground clearance and additional off-road features. The Outback's ride was smooth and comfortable, though the stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

The 2024 Kia EV9's standout feature was its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride and BMW X7. The third row provided 30.8 to 32.0 inches of legroom, depending on the middle row's configuration. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers with a second-row bench seat, though the test car featured captain's chairs. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 81.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The interior offered practical storage solutions, though the front storage space was somewhat limited.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape provided practicality with easy entry and exit, a low roof height for loading, and a low center of gravity for agile handling. The cargo area offered 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the seat folded, with a flat floor and square shape maximizing usability. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet was larger than many crossovers, offering more front headroom and legroom. Buyers were advised to test different trims, as the driving experience varied significantly between models.

The 2024 Kia EV9 featured 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 notable, with over-the-air updates allowing owners to purchase additional features from the Kia Connect store, offering future customization options.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on most trims. The Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system performed well, though frequent Starlink disturbances were noted. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, with a CD player included in the Touring trim.

The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning, 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.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.