Ford Escape vs Kia EV9

The 2024 Kia EV9 blazed a new trail in the context of Kia EVs with its distinct and blocky design. It retained a quintessential Kia exterior while elevating it with a sharp, angular look reminiscent of digital clock numbers. The body lines seamlessly followed the octagonal wheel arches, and the rear window angled sharply upward towards the roof spoiler. The lighting signature was particularly notable; the standard “Star Map” daytime running lights formed a slim line outlining the new “Digital Tiger Face” grille, while the LED headlights varied from clusters of two dashes to 12 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 visible only when the vehicle was on. The blocky aesthetic extended to the wheels, ranging from visually dynamic 19-inch designs to 21-inch squares.

Inside, the EV9 offered an airy and fresh feel, enhanced by a light gray two-tone interior and dual sunroofs. All models featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, and higher trims offered added customizations like leg support and bolster adjustments. The SynTex seating was comfortable and robust, suitable for regular use.

In contrast, Ford attempted to rejuvenate the 2023 Escape with a more aggressive front end, and these changes carried over to the 2024 model. The result was a compact crossover that looked more dynamic at the front but retained a generally soft and generically appealing design overall. Offered in multiple trims like Active, ST-Line, and Platinum, the 2024 Escape provided options in a price range from $29,345 to $40,500, not including the $1,495 destination charge.

The ST-Line Elite test model featured diamond-stitched, perforated leather, a panoramic vista roof, and ambient interior lighting. While the interior initially appeared upscale, the extremely glossy surfaces and stiff, dry upholstery detracted from its overall luxury. This lack of attention to detail was a significant letdown given the higher price point.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Light trim was rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and powered by a single motor delivering 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, lowering the horsepower to 201 but extending the range to 304 miles. The higher trims, Wind and Land, included dual motors providing 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque with a 280-mile range. The GT-Line trim emphasized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque but slightly reduced the range to 270 miles.

Driving the Kia EV9 GT-Line showed smooth and refined power delivery without the extreme acceleration typical of electric vehicles. It effortlessly reached cruising speed, making acceleration for passing on highways smooth. The handling was notably good, with a weight that kept it well-planted and minimal body roll despite some mild suspension rocking. The regenerative braking was adjustable and felt natural, similar to a gas-powered vehicle. Charging details remained pending personal tests, but Kia claimed the EV9 could charge from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

Conversely, the 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, which averaged 26 mpg in combined driving. The turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), including driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery. This configuration allowed a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

The turbocharged engine delivered quick acceleration, but the overall driving dynamics fell short of the sporty promise. The ride was soft and compliant, with a suspension that allowed excessive body motion. The brake pedal was responsive, but steering was sluggish and numb. Despite the sporty look, the driving experience was more aligned with comfortable, everyday driving rather than spirited performance.

The standout feature of the Kia EV9 was its third-row seating, which was spacious and provided 39.5 inches of headroom, surpassing even 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, and could seat up to seven passengers with the second-row bench seat. The cargo space behind the third row was 20.2 cubic feet, extending to 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded down and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front-row seats in place. Upfront storage was practical, with a large open compartment and a “floating” center console, while higher trims benefited from a spacious drawer and tray table for second-row passengers.

In comparison, the Ford Escape’s interior came in black with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters. The ST-Line Elite trim’s standard features included leather seats, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats and steering wheel. While the front seats were large and supportive, the back seat was comfortable primarily when slid to its rear-most position. The cargo volume was 37.5 cubic feet behind the back seat (34.4 cubic feet for the hybrid) and expanded to 65.4 cubic feet (60.8 cubic feet in the hybrid) with the rear seat folded down. Storage was generous upfront, with deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook in the cargo area.

The Kia EV9 excelled in its tech offerings with a three-screen curved display setup. It featured a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch climate display, and another 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Light and Wind trims had eight-speaker sound systems, while Land and GT-Line received a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system. The head-up display was exclusive to the GT-Line. Notably, the EV9 allowed for over-the-air updates through the Kia Connect store, letting owners purchase additional features and upgrades beyond the initial buy.

The Ford Escape ST-Line Elite came with a 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and FordPass Connect services. The system’s landscape orientation was intuitive, although its color theme made the display appear washed out. The infotainment also included a narrow strip for climate controls, which was not ideal. The premium sound system by Bang & Olufsen failed to impress due to damaged speakers in the test vehicle. Features like a head-up display on a clear dashboard-mounted plastic piece and the semi-autonomous Active Park Assist 2.0 rounded out the tech offerings, though the layout of controls, especially the engine start/stop button, was unconventional.

Kia equipped the EV9 with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control with machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and multiple collision avoidance functionalities. The Land and GT-Line trims added exclusive safety features like the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist. Although the EV9 had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it earned the highest available rating from Euro NCAP.

The Ford Escape came with Ford Co-Pilot360, standard across all trims, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping systems, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The ST-Line Elite trim added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a 360-degree camera system, among others. However, the lane-keeping systems behaved inconsistently, and the predictive speed assist was problematic. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering worked better on freeways. The Escape received five-star ratings from NHTSA in almost all categories, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.