2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Acura MDX

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold new direction for Kia's electric vehicles, with a design that was both familiar and futuristic. Its exterior maintained the recognizable Kia SUV aesthetic but introduced a more angular, digital clock-inspired look. The lighting features were particularly innovative, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the "Digital Tiger Face" grille adding a modern touch. The top trims, Land and GT-Line, offered a unique Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal. Inside, the EV9 felt spacious and modern, with a light gray two-tone interior and dual sunroofs contributing to an airy atmosphere. The seats were comfortable and adjustable, with SynTex surfaces that promised durability.

In contrast, the 2025 Acura MDX underwent subtle exterior updates, including a new grille and revised bumpers, which enhanced its sporty appearance. The interior saw more significant changes, with a new touchscreen infotainment system replacing the previous touchpad interface, offering more storage and ease of use. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims featured luxurious 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The cabin was quieter, thanks to added sound insulation, and the controls were logically placed for easy access. The MDX's quality remained high, though the gloss black plastic trim was prone to collecting dust and smudges.

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 provided the best range at 304 miles, albeit with slightly reduced horsepower at 201. The higher trims, Wind and Land, featured dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems with 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, offering 280 miles of range. The GT-Line 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.

The 2025 Acura MDX emphasized performance with its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX Type S offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The MDX's driving dynamics were enjoyable, with multiple driving modes and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system enhancing handling. However, fuel economy was a concern, with the A-Spec Advance averaging 18.4 mpg in testing. The MDX handled well on twisty roads, though it exhibited some body roll and brake fade during spirited driving.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and up to 32.0 inches of legroom. It could seat up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 81.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior featured a floating center console and ample storage options for second-row passengers.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered luxurious seating with 16-way power-adjustable front seats in the Advance trims, providing exceptional comfort. The second row could be configured as a bench or individual seats, with a pass-through to the third row. However, the third row was less comfortable for adults. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 71.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The MDX provided adequate in-cabin storage, though some areas were limited in size.

The 2024 Kia EV9 featured a cutting-edge infotainment system with three screens in a single curved display, including a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a premium audio system available on higher trims. The EV9's connected features were noteworthy, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing for future upgrades and customization.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, replacing the previous touchpad interface. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, though SiriusXM required streaming via a smartphone app. AcuraLink connected services and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, with premium Bang & Olufsen audio systems available on higher trims. The MDX also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 10.5-inch head-up display, though blind-spot monitoring alerts were absent.

The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based capabilities, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. However, some features were reserved for higher trims. The EV9 had not yet been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received high marks from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured the AcuraWatch collection of driver assistance features, with an expanded AcuraWatch 360 package available on the Type S Advance. Standard features included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. AcuraWatch 360 added front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX maintained a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though SH-AWD models lacked a rollover resistance rating.