2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold evolution in Kia's electric vehicle lineup, showcasing a design that was both familiar and forward-thinking. Its exterior maintained the brand's signature style, enhanced with a modern, blockier aesthetic reminiscent of digital clock numbers. The vehicle's body lines elegantly followed the octagonal wheel arches, and the rear window angled sharply upwards, almost meeting the roof spoiler. The lighting signature was a standout feature, with the "Star Map" daytime running lights creating a sleek outline around the new "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The LED headlights varied in design depending on the trim, appearing as either two dashes or 12 dots. The top Land trim offered a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, adding a constellation of light points visible only when the vehicle was on, with additional lighting patterns available for purchase.

In contrast, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, retained a unique identity within the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. It shared some visual bulk with models like the GLS, GLC, and GLB, but its rounded profile paid homage to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The GLE's design featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights, giving it a wide stance. However, the sharply tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created odd proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models. While not the most visually striking in the Mercedes lineup, the GLE's styling adhered closely to the brand's design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz. The interior offered a range of colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan, with features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting adding to its upscale feel.

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 370 kilometres. The Wind model, equipped with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, reduced horsepower to 201 but extended the range to 489 kilometres. The top Land trim featured all-wheel drive with dual motors, delivering 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 451 kilometres for the base and Premium Package versions, and 435 kilometres for the GT-Line. During a test drive in Napa Valley, the EV9 GT-Line impressed with smooth power delivery and refined handling, though some mild suspension rocking was noted. The regenerative braking system was adjustable, offering a natural feel comparable to gas-powered vehicles, with the i-Pedal mode enabling one-pedal driving. Fast charging capability allowed the EV9 to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered five powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, plus 80 kilometres of electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ delivered 429 hp and 413 lb-ft, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, while the AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ featured a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S impressed with its V8 soundtrack and muscle car-like performance, though it felt larger than its midsize classification, with limited nimbleness on backroads and in urban settings.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 1,004 millimetres of headroom, surpassing the Kia Telluride, BMW X7, and Rivian R1S. Third-row legroom ranged from 783 to 813 mm, depending on the middle row's configuration. The EV9 accommodated up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. Cargo space was competitive, with 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,231 litres with the third row folded, and 2,313 litres with only the front-row seats in place. The high and flat load floor facilitated easy luggage retrieval. Up front, storage space was adequate, with a floating centre console and a large open compartment on the floor.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE provided similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position offered an SUV-like feel, though outward visibility was limited. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitors, with additional legroom compared to the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. Cargo space was competitive, with 894 litres behind the second row and 1,790 litres with all seats folded. The centre console offered reasonable storage for small items, and the GLE's maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms ensured it could handle substantial loads.

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. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system and a head-up display. The EV9's connectedness was notable, with over-the-air updates allowing owners to purchase additional features from the Kia Connect store, including performance upgrades and lighting patterns.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE's interface consisted of two 12.3-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and the other for infotainment. The MBUX system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad and voice recognition, were available. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some models featured an off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver-assistance systems, 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 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received mixed ratings.