Toyota Grand Highlander vs Kia EV9

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander boasted a substantial presence in Toyota’s lineup of crossovers and SUVs. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its base with the standard Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself as a true crossover as opposed to a body-on-frame SUV like the Sequoia. Standing at 201.4 inches in length and featuring a 116.1-inch wheelbase, the Grand Highlander was notably more extensive than competitors like the Kia Telluride. With 8 inches of ground clearance, the vehicle was intended for on-road use but drew design inspiration from rugged models. Its exterior combined blocky, conservative styling with elements reminiscent of Toyota’s 4Runner. Three trims were available: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, each offering a progression of interior luxury from synthetic leather to genuine leather upholstery and a variety of comfort features.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Kia EV9 presented a futuristic, digital-clock-inspired exterior while retaining distinctive Kia elements. The octagonal wheel arches and sharp window angles created a modern and blocky aesthetic that didn’t stray far from traditional SUV designs. Unique lighting patterns, including a "Digital Tiger Face" and optional Digital Pattern Lighting Grille on higher trims, set the EV9 apart. The vehicle stood firmly on wheels with geometric designs, from 19-inch base wheels to 21-inch versions on the GT-Line. Interiorly, the EV9 was airy and fresh, highlighted by dual sunroofs and a range of power-adjustable seating options. SynTex seating surfaces provided both comfort and durability, crucial for frequent use.

For the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, performance was driven by three engine options. The base 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, balancing power and fuel efficiency. A 2.5-liter hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. At the top, the Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor to churn out 362 combined net horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Highlander, available in both FWD and AWD (with the Hybrid Max exclusively AWD), offered commendable acceleration, particularly with the Hybrid Max, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Although it navigated well for its size, it felt bulkier than its smaller sibling, with a bit of body roll and numb steering yet solid brakes.

The 2024 Kia EV9, especially in its GT-Line trim, provided a smooth and refined driving experience. The base Light trim’s single motor generated 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with a range of 230 miles. The Light Long Range trim featured a larger battery, reducing horsepower to 201 but extending the range to 304 miles. AWD models, like the Wind and Land trims, offered 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, with the GT-Line peaking at 516 lb-ft and a 270-mile range. Driving the GT-Line, the EV9 delivered smooth, matter-of-fact acceleration without the excessive force often associated with EVs. Its regenerative braking system, adjustable via steering-wheel paddles, provided a natural feel, complementing its competent handling and ride quality.

In terms of size, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled above most rivals. At 201.4 inches long with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it outdid the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride. This size translated into impressive storage capacity: 97.5 cubic feet total, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The spacious and comfortable interior benefited from ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows, making long journeys pleasant for all occupants.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its relatively rare third-row seating for an EV, offering 39.5 inches of headroom that surpassed numerous competitors. With third-row legroom varying between 30.8 to 32.0 inches, it comfortably seated seven passengers (with the second-row bench seat) or six (with captain’s chairs). Cargo space was competitive, providing 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.5 cubic feet with it down, and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front seats up. Despite limited flat surface storage up front due to the floating center console, the load floor facilitated easier luggage handling, and higher trims featured additional conveniences like a large drawer and tray table for rear passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard across all trims. This system supported dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional intelligent assistant, activated by “Hey Toyota,” and other connected services, required subscription fees. The infotainment system also included a standard 11-speaker JBL stereo on Limited and Platinum trims, Sirius XM with a three-month trial, and integration for streaming services with additional subscriptions.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9’s technology included a unique curved display incorporating three screens: a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch climate control screen, and another 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Standard features encompassed wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a charging pad. Higher trims benefitted from a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and a head-up display on the GT-Line. The EV9 also offered extensive over-the-air update capabilities through the Kia Connect store, allowing for future performance and feature upgrades, effectively “future-proofing” the vehicle.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, despite not yet receiving crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS, offered a robust suite of standard safety features under Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). This included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with 3D object recognition, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings added another layer of security.

Similarly, the Kia EV9 was well-equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems. Standard features across trims included navigation-based adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. The Land and GT-Line trims added Blind-spot View Monitor and more comprehensive collision avoidance aids. Despite its newness preventing rating from NHTSA or IIHS, it earned top marks from Euro NCAP, indicating strong safety performance.