2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold evolution in Kia's electric vehicle lineup, maintaining the brand's signature style while pushing the boundaries with a modern, blocky design. Its exterior featured octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window, creating a futuristic silhouette. The lighting signature was particularly striking, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the "Digital Tiger Face" grille, which was further enhanced in the top trims with a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille. The wheels complemented the geometric theme, with the base 19-inch wheels offering a sense of motion, while the higher trims featured more intricate patterns.

Inside, the EV9's cabin felt spacious and airy, accentuated by a light gray two-tone color scheme and dual sunroofs. The front seats were power-adjustable, with additional customizations available in higher trims. The SynTex seating surfaces were comfortable, and the fabric lining was durable. The interior design focused on practicality and comfort, making it a pleasant environment for both drivers and passengers.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, while the short front overhang and long hood contributed to its athletic appearance. Inside, the CX-90's cabin was elegantly designed, featuring polished metallic trim and Nappa leather with contrast stitching. Despite some materials reflecting its competitive price, the interior felt upscale.

However, the CX-90's design had some ergonomic issues, such as a confusing electronic shifter and a counterintuitive climate panel. The infotainment system also lacked touchscreen functionality for native functions, relying instead on a knob and buttons. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated look and feel, standing out among midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

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, with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, reduced horsepower to 201 but extended the range to 304 miles. The higher trims featured all-wheel drive with dual motors, delivering 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque in the Wind and Land trims, with a range of 280 miles. The GT-Line trim prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a range of 270 miles.

During testing, the EV9 GT-Line demonstrated smooth power delivery and good handling, with minimal body roll. The regenerative braking system was adjustable, allowing for a natural feel comparable to gas-powered vehicles. The EV9 also boasted fast charging capability, with Kia claiming a 10 to 80 percent charge in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's performance was less refined, despite its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine. The 3.3 Turbo model produced 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft (340 hp with premium gas). Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

While the CX-90 provided impressive ride and handling, drivetrain refinement was lacking, especially during cold starts. The vehicle exhibited unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior, with unwanted engine surge and acceleration. Noise and impact harshness were also issues, detracting from the overall driving experience. However, the CX-90's taut suspension and communicative steering made it a fun-to-drive family hauler.

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 in higher trims. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front-row seats in place.

The EV9's interior storage was adequate, with a "floating" center console and a large open compartment on the floor. Second-row passengers in higher trims enjoyed additional storage with a large drawer and tray table. Overall, the EV9 offered a practical and comfortable interior for families.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, while elegant, had some shortcomings. The three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin quickly, and the front-seat ventilation was ineffective. However, once cooled, the eight-way power-adjustable front seats were comfortable for long trips. The panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed elevated seating positions with height-adjustable armrests and side window shades.

The CX-90's third row was best suited for children, with limited seat-track travel and snug fit for rear-facing child seats. The electronic shifter did not provide additional storage space, and the center console lacked practicality. Cargo space was limited, with 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats flattened.

The 2024 Kia EV9 featured a cutting-edge technology suite, with a three-screen curved display incorporating a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The EV9 offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. Higher trims boasted a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio sound system and a head-up display.

The EV9's connectedness was a standout feature, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing owners to purchase additional features and upgrades. This future-proofing approach provided flexibility for early adopters and used car buyers, enhancing the EV9's appeal.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's technology was more traditional, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment system was touch-sensitive only for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for native functions. Mazda's voice recognition system was subpar, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models.

The CX-90 featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display with helpful data. While the technology was functional, it lacked the modern flair of competitors, and the infotainment system's limitations detracted from the overall experience.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance as standard. Higher trims included additional features like the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist. While the EV9 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, it received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the PHEV model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. Despite some issues with the adaptive cruise control's speed reduction feature, the CX-90's driver aids were effective and comprehensive.