2024 Kia EV9 vs 2024 Honda Passport

The 2024 Kia EV9 showcased a cutting-edge appeal, setting a new benchmark within Kia's EV lineup. Its exterior, distinctly Kia, was drastically modernized with a blocky design reminiscent of digital clock numbers. The body lines traced the octagonal wheel arches, and the rear window angled sharply to meet the near-roof spoiler. A significant departure from typical SUVs was its lighting signature. The standard "Star Map" daytime running lights outlined the "Digital Tiger Face" with a unique connect-the-dots-style trajectory. The LED headlights introduced either two dashes or 12 dots arrangements, contingent on the trim. The top two trims, Land and GT-Line, were accentuated with a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, illuminating a spectacle of miniature light points visible only when the vehicle was activated.

Its wheels supported the geometric aesthetics; particularly, the 19-inch base wheels emphasized motion and aerodynamics. The Land trim flaunted 20-inch wheels with interlocking triangles, while the GT-Line opted for 21-inchers with a square motif.

Inside, the EV9 exuded an airy and fresh ambiance, accentuated by the two-tone light gray interior and dual sunroofs. The seating was consistently comfortable across trims, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats and lumbar support as standard. Higher trims offered additional driver seat customizations such as leg support and bolster adjustments. The SynTex seating and durable fabric lining on chairbacks, door cards, and center consoles underscored its user-centric design.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Honda Passport retained a familiar look, adhering closely to its previous iterations despite an updated design language applied across other Honda models. Although the 2022 updates brought a more upright grille and squared-off corners, the Passport still bore a resemblance to Honda’s earlier designs.

Offered in three trims–EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition–the Passport came standard with leather seats, a power moonroof, identical touchscreens, and AWD, distinguishing it from competitors who offer lower-priced entry-level trims. Honda's rugged TrailSport trim featured all-terrain tires rated for snow performance, roof rails, and LED fog lights.

Despite its rugged appearance, the Passport TrailSport was more aesthetic than functional with plastic skid plates and no incorporated recovery points. Its off-road angles, however, were comparable to more rugged vehicles. Inside, the Passport balanced “old-school” controls with a simple, unassuming interior. The black leather upholstery was accentuated by orange stitching and the TrailSport emblem, while the overall design leaned towards utility with large air vents, physical controls, and abundant storage.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrain options. The base Light trim, featuring a single rear-wheel-drive motor, delivered 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. The Light Long Range model, equipped with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, slightly reduced horsepower to 201 but extended the range to 304 miles.

Higher trims came exclusively with AWD and dual motors, providing different performance levels. Wind and Land trims achieved 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque with a range of 280 miles. The GT-Line, prioritizing performance over range, mustered 516 lb-ft of torque with a reduced range of 270 miles. During testing in California's Napa Valley, the GT-Line delivered smooth power transitions without the aggressive thrust typical of electric vehicles. Handling remained stable, though mild suspension rocking was noted. Regenerative braking was adjustable, providing a natural feel reminiscent of gas-powered vehicles. Kia's fast charging capability promised to recharge the EV9 from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC charger.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport stuck with a proven 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite industry trends towards smaller, turbocharged engines, Honda maintained this naturally aspirated powertrain. This decision yielded respectable acceleration and seamless gear transitions, though peak torque required higher RPMs, impacting fuel efficiency rated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The Passport TrailSport trim featured wider front and rear tracks, 18-inch A/T tires, and an off-road tuned suspension for better articulation. Its standard AWD system, combined with a traction management system with multiple modes, enhanced its versatility. However, elevated noise levels were noticeable at highway speeds. The Passport’s 5,000-pound towing capacity exceeded rivals like the Subaru Outback Wilderness and Hyundai Santa Fe but fell short of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2024 Kia EV9 differentiated itself significantly with its third-row seats, offering substantial headroom at 39.5 inches, surpassing the Kia Telluride, BMW X7, and Rivian R1S. The third-row legroom ranged between 30.8 to 32.0 inches, depending on the middle row configuration. It seated up to seven passengers, with numerous second-row configurations available. Our test model, equipped with second-row captain's chairs, provided notable comfort. Cargo space was also a strong suit with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front seats in place.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Passport excelled in two-row midsize crossover cargo capacity. With 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and additional underfloor storage, it outperformed competitors like the Subaru Outback, Santa Fe, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seats down, the Passport offered a flush cargo area for ease of loading. The Passport's interior was spacious for five adults, though rear legroom was slightly less than the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Up front, a revised center console bin provided deeper storage with a flip-up armrest. While this design reduced the open feeling, it increased practical storage capacity compared to previous models.

The 2024 Kia EV9 pushed technological boundaries with its grandiose curved display featuring three integrated screens: a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. This setup included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging across all trims. Higher trims benefited from an impressive 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system, with a head-up display standard on the GT-Line. Over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store offered performance upgrades and new features, ensuring the EV9 remained contemporary and customizable throughout ownership.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport's tech suite felt conservative, with only an 8-inch touchscreen. While the tech included sharp resolution and quick responsiveness, the size seemed insufficient for the spacious interior. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a wireless charging pad. However, navigation glitches during city driving and a somewhat unimpressive standard seven-speaker audio system underscored its technological shortcomings. Audiophiles would find better alternatives in other midsize SUVs with superior sound systems.

Safety was a focus for the 2024 Kia EV9, whose base price positioned it competitively with a fully equipped Telluride. Standard advanced driver-assistance systems were extensive, including navigation-based adaptive cruise control, machine learning, and stop-and-go capabilities. Blind-spot collision warnings and assists came standard, though the Blind-spot View Monitor was exclusive to higher trims. Comprehensive forward and rear collision avoidance systems were present, albeit with certain limitations based on trim levels.

The 2024 Honda Passport came well-equipped with standard safety features under the “Honda Sensing” umbrella. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Despite this, the Passport's crash test results were middling, with “Acceptable” and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS and four-star ratings in frontal and rollover tests by the NHTSA.