2024 Kia EV9 vs 2025 Nissan Armada

The 2024 Kia EV9 presented a bold evolution in Kia's electric vehicle lineup, maintaining the brand's signature design while pushing boundaries with its modern, angular aesthetics. Its exterior was characterized by a blocky silhouette reminiscent of digital clock numbers, with octagonal wheel arches and a sharply angled rear window that nearly met the roof spoiler. The lighting signature was particularly innovative, featuring the "Star Map" daytime running lights and a "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The top Land trim offered a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, adding a constellation of light points visible only when the vehicle was on, with options for additional lighting patterns available for purchase.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Armada showcased a robust and commanding presence, with a high beltline and a taller grille and front fascia, enhanced by its higher ground clearance. The PRO-4X trim stood out with a skid plate and unique front lighting signature featuring C-shaped LED lines. The Armada's side profile was marked by a parallel beltline and a distinctive D-pillar with an ARMADA-emblazoned accent strip. The vehicle retained its round wheel arches, adding rugged character to the PRO-4X trim. The rear featured standard LED taillights and a red lightbar on higher trims, with 20-inch wheels standard on the base model and 22-inch on the Platinum Reserve.

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, with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, provided a range of 489 kilometres but slightly reduced horsepower to 201. The top Land trim featured all-wheel drive with dual motors, delivering 379 horsepower 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. The EV9's power delivery was smooth and refined, with adjustable regenerative braking and fast charging capability, promising a 10 to 80 percent charge in 25 minutes on a high-speed DC fast charger.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by the GT-R, producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive in Canada. The PRO-4X trim included exclusive features like an electronic locking rear differential and adaptive electronic air suspension, providing impressive off-road capabilities with a 33-degree approach angle and 34.4 cm of ground clearance. The Armada offered eight selectable drive modes and a towing capacity of up to 3,855 kilograms. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering provided a nice sense of engagement, while the adaptive air suspension enhanced comfort both on and off-road.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 1,004 millimetres of headroom and 783 to 813 mm of legroom, accommodating up to seven passengers. Cargo space was competitive, with 572 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,313 litres with only the front-row seats in place. The interior featured a "floating" centre console, with a wireless charging pad and ample storage space, though the shallow top-closing cubby might disappoint some.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up centre console space for a wireless charging pad. The Platinum Reserve trim offered "Zero Gravity" seats with extensive power adjustments and heating and cooling options. The third-row seats folded flatter for increased cargo space, with 577 litres behind the third row and up to 2,750 litres behind the front row. Headroom and legroom varied with the sunroof option, with the third row benefiting from increased legroom. The Armada's passenger space was generally competitive, though it fell short compared to some American rivals.

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. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a premium audio system available on higher trims. The EV9's connectedness was noteworthy, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing owners to purchase additional features and upgrades.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came with two large screens, 12.3-inch on the SL trim and 14.3-inch on higher trims, housed in a flat display unit. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Built-In, and a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System. The Armada's infotainment system was user-friendly, with Google Maps native integration and a head-up display on the Platinum Reserve trim.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. While it had not yet been rated by North American safety organizations, it received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured the ProPILOT Assist suite, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centring steering assistance. The Platinum Reserve trim offered hands-free highway driving assist technology. The Armada also included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera.