2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Kia EV9

In the past, the 2024 Kia EV9 made a bold statement in the evolution of Kia’s electric vehicle lineup. With its blocky aesthetics and sharp angles, it distinguished itself from other Kia SUVs. The octagonal wheel arches and sharply-angled rear window were standout features, aligned with the vehicle's innovative "blockier" look reminiscent of a digital clock. Lighting was a significant element in this design, featuring "Star Map" daytime running lights and a “Digital Tiger Face” grille outlined in LEDs. The top Land and GT-Line trims added another layer of allure with a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, offering a constellation of smaller lights illuminating only when the vehicle was operational. These advanced lighting features allowed owners to purchase additional patterns post-purchase, illustrating a path for future customization.

The EV9 also showcased distinctive wheels, with the base 19-inch wheels offering a visual sense of motion, while the Land’s 20-inch and GT-Line’s 21-inch wheels incorporated geometry-inspired designs. Inside, the EV9 felt light and spacious, enhanced by dual sunroofs and a two-tone interior color scheme. All trims came with eight-way power-adjustable front seats and lumbar support. Higher trims offered further customizations, including leg support and bolster adjustments. The SynTex seating surfaces and hardy fabrics used throughout the interior contributed to a comfortable and durable cabin environment.

On the other hand, the 2024 Acura MDX embodied elegance with its large shield grille flanked by rakish headlights and sporty intake vents. The lower bumper design further accentuated its modern and refined look. Inside, while the MDX was packed with high-tech features, it was also busy with numerous controls on the center console.

Offered in several trims, such as the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package, along with the sporty Type-S and Type-S Advance, the MDX provided a wealth of features. Standard equipment included tri-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats. The Technology Package added ambient lighting, navigation, and a 12-speaker premium sound system, while the A-Spec trim featured unique styling and added ventilated front seats and a 16-speaker audio system. The Type-S Advance package, which we tested, came with luxurious perforated leather upholstery and effective massaging seats, providing superior comfort on long drives.

The 2024 Kia EV9's performance varied significantly across its trims. The base Light trim employed a single motor delivering 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an electric range of 230 miles. For those seeking extended range, the Light Long Range model offered a larger battery, reducing horsepower to 201 but increasing the range to 304 miles. The higher Wind and Land trims featured dual motors, producing 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque with a 280-mile range. The GT-Line trim prioritized performance, delivering 516 lb-ft of torque and a 270-mile range.

During a test drive of the GT-Line in Napa Valley, power delivery was smooth and refined. Despite the sportier trim, acceleration was straightforward without the forceful push typical of electric vehicles. Handling was solid, with minimal body roll and a weighted feel that kept the vehicle planted on the road. The regenerative braking system was adjustable, featuring Kia's one-pedal driving mode, i-Pedal. While we didn’t have exact charging figures from personal experience, Kia claimed the EV9 could charge from 10% to 80% in just 25 minutes using a DC fast charger.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Acura MDX relied on traditional combustion power. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Type-S trims upgraded to a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, generating 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Power was channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in either front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Driving the Type-S Advance, we experienced robust acceleration without aggressive head jolts typical of high-performance vehicles. The transmission efficiently managed the turbo power, with smooth throttle delivery. Notably, the Type-S featured Brembo performance brakes and an adaptive air suspension, enabling a comfortable and responsive ride. The MDX's ride height could be adjusted through its Integrated Dynamics System, featuring modes like Sport, Comfort, and Lift for various driving conditions. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds in AWD models, the MDX balanced performance and utility well.

The 2024 Kia EV9 set itself apart with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom, surpassing models like the Kia Telluride and BMW X7. Third-row legroom ranged from 30.8 to 32.0 inches, though the EV9 seated up to seven passengers with a second-row bench seat, unlike the eight-seater Telluride. During testing, the second-row captain’s chairs offered contoured bolstering, ensuring passenger comfort. Cargo space was also competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 81.7 cubic feet with both rear rows down. Practical storage solutions included a flat load floor and clever use of space with a floating center console and second-row drawer and tray tables.

In comparison, the 2024 Acura MDX also offered three rows, but the third row was less spacious and more suitable for children. Cargo space stood at 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The under-floor storage area added extra practicality, and the MDX included a standard power liftgate, with the hands-free option available on the base and standard on the Advance Package models.

The Type-S Advance featured a fold-down center console in the second-row bench with integrated cupholders, though there were no captain’s chairs available. The MDX’s center stack of controls was cluttered, with a touchpad interface for the infotainment system, which many found unintuitive. Nonetheless, it offered ample storage in the center console and cupholders throughout the cabin, though the layout didn’t maximize space efficiency.

The 2024 Kia EV9 embraced advanced technology with a curved triple-screen display, comprising a 12.3-inch driver information screen, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad were standard. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian sound system and a head-up display for the GT-Line trim. The EV9’s over-the-air update capability allowed for future upgrades through the Kia Connect store, enabling owners to add features like performance enhancements and additional lighting patterns even after the initial purchase.

Conversely, the 2024 Acura MDX’s technology suite was hindered by its infotainment system's user interface. The 12.3-inch screen on the dash wasn’t touch-sensitive and required a touchpad for control, which was clumsy and unintuitive. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, satellite and HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard. A fully digital instrument panel and wireless charging were also included. While the charging ports had clever placement, the overall interface and control layout left much to be desired.

Safety was a strong suit for both vehicles. The 2024 Kia EV9 came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including navigation-based adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward and rear collision avoidance. High trims added features like the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance. Although the EV9 had not yet been tested by U.S. safety organizations, it earned the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

Similarly, the 2024 Acura MDX was loaded with safety technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Technology Package added parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers, while the Advance Package included a 360-degree camera and head-up display. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for its crash-prevention technology and overall crashworthiness.