2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

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 featured a blocky, digital clock-inspired aesthetic, with octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window. The lighting signature was particularly striking, 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.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained a traditional minivan appearance, despite efforts to add style with features like a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines. The Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, but the overall look remained boxy. The Sienna's interior was updated with a woodgrain finish, though not all passengers appreciated the aesthetic. The Platinum model offered a range of features, including a digital rearview mirror and extended connected services. Despite these updates, the Sienna's design and interior comfort were more utilitarian than luxurious.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrain options, 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 of 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 trim prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a range of 270 miles. The EV9's driving experience was smooth and refined, with adjustable regenerative braking and fast charging capabilities.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission, producing a net horsepower of 245. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain aimed to maximize fuel economy, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. Despite its modest power, the Sienna felt responsive in city driving, though the CVT's noise was noticeable during hard acceleration. The Sienna's handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, with a smooth ride and quiet highway performance. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more dynamic driving experience.

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. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers, with various seating configurations available. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 81.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior featured a floating center console and ample storage options, though front storage space was somewhat limited.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna provided practical seating and cargo solutions, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third row accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 101 cubic feet with the seats stowed. However, the Sienna's maximum cargo capacity was less than its rivals due to the non-removable 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. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with higher trims offering a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system. The EV9's connected services allowed for over-the-air updates and additional feature purchases through the Kia Connect store, offering future-proofing and customization options.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The Platinum model featured a four-zone climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services, with a digital assistant for voice commands. The Sienna's infotainment system was paired with a 12-speaker JBL audio system, though sound quality was affected by excessive bass.

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 the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. While the Sienna's safety systems generally performed well, the adaptive cruise control required human intervention in sudden braking situations. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it scored lower in frontal crash tests.