2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Buick Enclave

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold new direction for Kia's electric vehicles, while still maintaining the brand's recognizable SUV design language. Its exterior featured a modern, blocky aesthetic reminiscent of digital clock numbers, with octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window. The lighting signature was a standout feature, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The top trims, Land and GT-Line, included a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, adding a constellation of light points. The wheels complemented the blocky design, with the base 19-inch wheels offering a sense of motion, while the Land and GT-Line trims featured more geometric patterns.

Inside, the EV9 felt spacious and modern, enhanced by a light gray two-tone interior and dual sunroofs. The front seats were eight-way power-adjustable, with additional customizations available on higher trims. The SynTex seating surfaces were comfortable, and the fabric lining was durable. The interior design emphasized comfort and practicality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a fresh and airy cabin experience.

The 2025 Buick Enclave, from the front, resembled a larger version of the Envista, with a sharp design featuring slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline. While the side profile was somewhat generic, the overall look was bolder than its predecessor. The Enclave had fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. The base and Sport Touring trims came with 20-inch wheels, while the Avenir trim featured 22-inch wheels with a special finish.

Inside, the Enclave offered a modern and premium feel, with a floating center console and a large curved display. The Sport Touring trim had perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, adding a touch of luxury. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, with the panoramic sunroof only available on higher trims. Despite this, the Enclave's interior was well-appointed, offering a comfortable and upscale experience.

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 featured a larger 99.8-kWh battery, reducing horsepower to 201 but increasing range to 304 miles. The higher trims, Wind and Land, came with all-wheel drive and dual motors, delivering 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 280 miles. The GT-Line trim prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a range of 270 miles. The EV9's power delivery was smooth, and its handling was stable, with adjustable regenerative braking and fast charging capabilities.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and was available in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. The AWD option reduced fuel economy slightly, from 23 to 21 mpg combined. The Enclave could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Active Noise Cancellation was standard for road noise, but engine noise cancellation was only available on higher trims. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds, but it was not a major concern for its target audience.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom, surpassing competitors like 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. The EV9 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 the rear seats folded. The interior featured a floating center console, providing ample storage space.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, accommodating up to seven passengers. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with heated second-row seats and ventilation available on the Avenir trim. Tri-zone climate control was standard, with controls accessible to middle-row passengers. The Enclave featured a power liftgate with AutoSense technology, providing easy access to 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 97.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system. The EV9's connectedness was a highlight, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing owners to purchase additional features and upgrades.

The 2025 Buick Enclave boasted a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen, integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging and smartphone connectivity were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging for all passengers, with USB ports in each row.

The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. The Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist were available on higher trims. The EV9 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a robust safety package, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision was standard, with adaptive cruise control and Teen Driver technology. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving technology, was available on all trims. The Enclave had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received favorable ratings.