2024 Kia EV9 vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a striking blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights made it unmistakable from afar. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim stood out with a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim evoked nostalgia with a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, complemented by unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's rugged personality was not just for show; functional elements like cleats above the headlights and raised "fins" helped secure cargo and provided excellent visibility of the vehicle's corners. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof upholstery, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. The interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, and while some creaking was noted over bumps, it was quieter than a comparable Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Kia EV9 marked a new era for Kia EVs with its cutting-edge design, featuring a blockier shape reminiscent of digital clock numbers. Its exterior was distinctly Kia, with body lines following octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window. The lighting signature was a standout feature, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights outlining the "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The top Land trim offered a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille with a constellation of smaller light points. The EV9's interior was spacious, with a third row providing ample headroom and legroom, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride and BMW X7. The second-row seats were comfortable, with contoured bolstering to minimize jostling. Cargo space was competitive, with a high and flat load floor for easy luggage retrieval. The EV9's interior featured a "floating" centre console, offering storage space and a wireless charging pad, while second-row passengers enjoyed a large drawer and tray table in GT-Line trims.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It was available with a seven-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. The optional twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with the automatic transmission. The top-tier Bronco Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, generating 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most on- and off-road adventures, while the Raptor's EcoBoost engine offered exhilarating power. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. Despite its high-riding dimensions, the Bronco felt confident on curving roads, and maneuvering the larger four-door model was less stressful than expected, thanks to several cameras.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Light trim was powered by a single motor, making it rear-wheel-drive (RWD) with 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It had an EPA-estimated electric range of 370 kilometres. The Wind model offered the best range in the lineup, with a 99.8-kWh battery pack providing 489 kilometres on a single charge, albeit with slightly reduced horsepower at 201. The top Land trim featured all-wheel drive (AWD) with two electric motors, producing 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The base and Premium Package versions offered 451 kilometres of range, while the GT-Line prioritized performance with a range of 435 kilometres. The EV9 GT-Line delivered smooth and refined power delivery, with good handling and minimal body roll. The regenerative braking system was adjustable, offering a natural feel comparable to a gas-powered vehicle. The EV9's fast charging capability allowed it to go from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with plenty of room in the front and back. The four-door model was recommended for those regularly shuttling more than one passenger, as accessing the rear seats in the two-door required some effort. Up front, there were numerous storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for securing personal items. The two-door Bronco offered up to 634 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,481 litres with the seats folded, while the four-door model provided 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, catering to hardcore off-roaders.

The 2024 Kia EV9's standout feature was its spacious third row, offering ample headroom at 1,004 millimetres, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride and BMW X7. Third-row legroom ranged from 783 to 813 mm, 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 behind the third row measured 572 litres, expandable to 1,231 litres with the third row folded and 2,313 litres with only the front-row seats in place. The EV9's high and flat load floor made luggage retrieval easier. The interior featured a "floating" centre console, offering storage space and a wireless charging pad, while second-row passengers enjoyed a large drawer and tray table in GT-Line trims.

The 2023 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. drive modes that optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains. Novice off-roaders could easily conquer challenging terrain, while seasoned drivers could manually select features like transfer case gearing and sway-bar disconnects. The Bronco's numerous camera views provided valuable assistance in tight spots, with predictive lines showing tire placement. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel. The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Ford’s SYNC 4 and FordPass Connect as standard. Most Broncos came with an eight-inch touchscreen, with a 12-inch display available for easier use.

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. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad, were standard. The Land Premium and GT-Line packages offered a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio sound system, while a head-up display was standard on the GT-Line. The EV9's connectedness was noteworthy, with over-the-air (OTA) updates allowing owners to purchase additional features from the Kia Connect store. This "future-proofing" approach allowed for further customization and upgrades, making the EV9 adaptable to future developments.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with the four-door model earning four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the four-door Bronco its best score of “Good” in most crashworthiness tests, except for head restraints and seats, which received an "Acceptable" rating. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The optional Mid package added enhanced driver assistance features, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional safety technologies.

The 2024 Kia EV9's standard suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) was comprehensive, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning and stop-and-go capabilities. Blind-spot collision avoidance assist and warning were standard, while the Blind-spot View Monitor was available on higher trims. The EV9 featured forward collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, with additional parking collision avoidance assist reserved for top packages. The EV9 had not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but received the highest rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).