Kia EV9 vs Honda Prologue

The 2024 Kia EV9 introduced a new aesthetic to Kia's EV lineup. Its blocky exterior, reminiscent of digital clock numbers, showcased octagonal wheel arches and an angular rear window paired with a roof spoiler. The standout feature was the lighting signature. The "Star Map" daytime running lights traced a sleek line from the front fender to the grille, defining the "Digital Tiger Face" design. LED headlights varied by trim, presenting either two dashes or 12 dots. The higher trims, Land and GT-Line, included a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille with smaller light points visible when the car was on, though not available with matte exterior colors.

The EV9's wheels followed the blocky look, contributing to its geometric appeal. We admired the base 19-inch wheels most for their dynamic and aerodynamic appearance. The Land trim sported 20-inch wheels with an interlocking triangle pattern, while the GT-Line featured 21-inch square-patterned wheels.

Inside, the EV9 felt airy and fresh, complemented by its two-tone light gray scheme and dual sunroofs. Standard eight-way power-adjustable front seats offered comfort and durability with SynTex seating surfaces and hardy fabric linings. Higher trims added further customization in leg support and bolster adjustments.

The 2024 Honda Prologue, on the other hand, maintained a familiar look. Available in five colors for the base EX trim, the Touring and Elite trims introduced Sonic Grey and a new vibrant turquoise called "North Shore Pearl." Its front end sported the traditional Honda "H" logo on a smooth black panel, a nod to its electric identity. Accessories such as skid plates and side cladding allowed for personalization and added a rugged appeal.

Viewed from the side, the Prologue's proportions resembled a low, streamlined car more than a tall SUV, despite its considerable length. Large wheels–19-inch standard, 21 on Elite–accentuated its low roof. The new “Honda” font on the back marked the brand's transition to electric propulsion.

Inside, the highest Elite trim was chic with a brown and black interior while the EX provided cloth surfaces and the other trims offered leather. The dash design aligned with Honda's recent models but lacked the honeycomb grille for air vents, replaced with piano black plastic. The interior preserved a familiar, upscale yet mainstream feel.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered diverse powertrain options. The base Light trim, powered by a single motor, was rear-wheel drive with 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, providing an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. The Light Long Range model reduced horsepower to 201 but increased the range to 304 miles with a 99.8-kWh battery pack. The dual-motor AWD variants in the Wind and Land trims produced 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque with a range of 280 miles. The top GT-Line trim delivered 516 lb-ft of torque at the cost of reducing range to 270 miles.

Driving the GT-Line around Napa Valley, the EV9 impressed with its smooth power delivery and composed handling. It avoided aggressive acceleration typical of many EVs, favoring a refined cruising speed instead. The regenerative braking system was adjustable via steering wheel paddles and included the i-Pedal one-pedal driving mode, allowing it to feel natural for those used to gas-powered vehicles.

In terms of charging, while personal testing wasn't conducted, Kia claimed the EV9 could fast charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 25 minutes using a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2024 Honda Prologue offered both FWD and AWD configurations. The FWD setup featured a single motor with 212 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, providing the most efficient range of 296 miles when paired with 19-inch wheels. The AWD version, available for EX and Touring trims and standard on Elite, delivered 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Elite’s 21-inch wheels reduced the range to 273 miles, while the 19-inch wheels provided 281 miles.

The Prologue excelled with its best-in-class base range of 296 miles, outdoing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, at least at the entry-level. Honda prioritized authentic driving dynamics, evident in its smooth but engaging ride. During the drive in Napa Valley, the Prologue offered three regenerative braking settings. Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering response, adding a spirited feel to the drive despite the Prologue’s size.

The Kia EV9 stood out for its spacious third row, providing 39.5 inches headroom and up to 32 inches legroom, making it competitive with larger SUVs. However, it accommodated only seven passengers with just two seats in the third row. Depending on the configuration, it offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 43.5 with the third row folded and 81.7 with just the front seats used. Storage space up front was decent, though the lack of a flat surface due to the floating center console was noticeable. The higher trims’ rear passengers benefited from a drawer and tray table emerging from the center console.

The Honda Prologue, with a total of 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, offered impressive second-row legroom (39.4 inches) but less headroom compared to the EV9 (38.1 inches). Its standard dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and spacious front console storage were all good touches. The top trims added driver’s seat memory, front seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. The cargo area comprised 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, extending to 57.7 with them folded down. The Prologue lacked a frunk but included a deep compartment beneath the load floor for additional storage.

The Kia EV9's technological highlight was its triple screen within a single curved display, including a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch dedicated climate display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The land and GT-Line received a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system. Another impressive feature was the EV9's over-the-air (OTA) updates through the Kia Connect store, allowing owners to purchase upgrades over time without visiting a dealership.

The Honda Prologue featured standard keyless access, with a high-end card-format key for the Elite trim. Wireless charging, four USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard through an 11.3-inch infotainment screen. A separate 11-inch screen served as the digital driver-information display. The Touring and Elite trims offered a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display. Google Built-In provided native integration with Google Maps and preconditioning for DC fast charging, ensuring seamless navigation and charging experiences.

The Kia EV9 boasted a comprehensive standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) package, similar to the fully optioned Telluride. It included standard adaptive cruise control with machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and multiple forward and rear collision avoidance technologies. The Land and GT-Line trims added a Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist.

Similarly, the Honda Prologue came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including newly standard rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims offered front-park assist, a surround-view system, and rear pedestrian alert, aiming for top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA.