2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold new direction for Kia's electric vehicles, while maintaining a familiar SUV aesthetic. Its exterior design was characterized by a blocky, digital clock-like appearance, 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 interior felt airy and fresh, enhanced by a light gray two-tone color scheme and dual sunroofs. The EV9 offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats, with additional customizations available on higher trims. The SynTex seating surfaces were comfortable, and the fabric lining was durable.

The 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition featured a rugged yet suburban-friendly design. It had black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black leather seats with red perforation accents. The cabin included red contrast stitching and ambient lighting, with "Black Edition" embossed on the head restraints and floor mats. The Pilot's interior was thoughtfully designed, with quality materials and practical storage solutions. However, the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated, lacking a significant "wow factor." The Pilot's exterior aimed for a rugged look, especially in the TrailSport trim, but the Black Edition's custom look was more suited for suburban environments.

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 extending the range to 304 miles. The higher trims, Wind and Land, had dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems with 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, offering 280 miles of range. The GT-Line 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 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The Pilot's AWD system featured torque vectoring and hill descent control, with up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance. The V6 provided good acceleration, but the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 20 mpg. The Pilot's handling was predictable, with a compliant suspension that absorbed bumps well. The Black Edition's 20-inch wheels contributed to its secure handling.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and 30.8 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 the rear seats folded. The EV9's interior featured a "floating" center console, with limited flat surfaces but ample storage options for second-row passengers.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. The Black Edition's front row had a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, but the front passenger seat lacked adjustability. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for adults for short trips. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 86.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior featured a triple-zone climate control system and heated outboard second-row seats.

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. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad as standard. Higher trims included a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system. The EV9's connectedness was noteworthy, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store offering additional features and upgrades.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Pilot's voice recognition system was inconsistent, and the wireless phone charging pad was prone to device movement. The CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, and a small head-up display was included.

The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, 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 Honda Pilot was equipped with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition included parking sensors and a multi-view camera system with TrailWatch technology. The Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.