2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Kia EV9

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold new direction for Kia's electric vehicles, while still maintaining a familiar SUV aesthetic. Its exterior design was characterized by a blocky, digital clock-inspired look, 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 of the EV9 felt spacious and modern, enhanced by a light gray two-tone color scheme and dual sunroofs. The seats were power-adjustable and comfortable, with SynTex surfaces and durable fabric lining.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its distinctive retro-inspired design, reminiscent of the Lancia Delta, with minor updates in its mid-cycle refresh. The front fascia saw slight revisions, but the "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and high rear spoiler remained. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. The XRT also introduced exclusive colors and new wheel designs. Inside, the Ioniq 5's cabin remained open and minimalistic, with a revised center console for improved functionality. The XRT trim added a rugged touch with its dark interior and all-weather floor mats.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the Light trim's single motor RWD setup, producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 230-mile range. The Light Long Range model featured a larger battery, reducing horsepower to 201 but extending the range to 304 miles. The AWD trims, Wind and Land, delivered 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 280-mile range. The GT-Line prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a 270-mile range. The EV9's power delivery was smooth, and its handling was stable, with adjustable regenerative braking and fast charging capabilities.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 introduced the XRT trim with Terrain Mode for off-road adventures, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand settings. The Ioniq 5's AWD models produced 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, while RWD models offered 168 hp with the standard battery and 225 hp with the long-range option. The Ioniq 5's range varied, with the RWD configuration reaching up to 318 miles, while the AWD XRT offered 259 miles. The Ioniq 5's instant torque provided a fun driving experience, and its regenerative braking system allowed for smooth control on various terrains.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and up to 32 inches of legroom. It could seat up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 81.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The EV9's interior featured a floating center console, providing storage space, while second-row passengers enjoyed a large drawer and tray table.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper and revising the center console. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with headroom ranging from 39.1 to 39.8 inches and legroom at 41.7 inches front and 39.4 inches rear. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet, expandable to 58.5 cubic feet, with an additional .85 cubic feet in the frunk. The Ioniq 5 transitioned to the North American Charging System, allowing access to Tesla's Supercharger network, and included a CCS adapter for versatile charging options.

The 2024 Kia EV9 featured a three-screen curved display, with 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. The Kia Connect store allowed for over-the-air updates and additional feature purchases, providing future-proofing and customization options.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its dual 12.3-inch screens, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, and the Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT trim. The Ioniq 5 included standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB-C ports, with a head-up display on the Limited trim. The central USB-C port offered customizable functionality for charging and data transmission.

The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based capabilities, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. The EV9 had not yet been rated by IIHS or NHTSA but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 continued to earn high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and five stars from NHTSA. New standard features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. The Ioniq 5 offered Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2, with lane-changing capability and machine learning for improved driving assistance.