Compare the2024 Lexus LXVS 2024 Kia EV9

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Kia EV9 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lexus LX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EV9 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The LX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The EV9 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the LX. But it costs extra on the EV9.

The LX has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The EV9 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the LX and the EV9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The LX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the EV9’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 208 more horsepower (409 vs. 201) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 194 more horsepower (409 vs. 215) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor. The LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 30 more horsepower (409 vs. 379) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 443) than the EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors. The LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 30 more horsepower (409 vs. 379) than the EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors.

The LX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EV9 are solid, not vented.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The EV9’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The LX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the EV9; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The LX offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The EV9’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the EV9’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the LX Base/Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (7.9 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the LX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the EV9 (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches).

The LX offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the EV9 can only carry up to 7.

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EV9’s (8000 vs. 2000 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 63% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The LX has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The EV9 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the EV9 Land/GT-Line, the LX has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LX has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The EV9 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the LX has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The LX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the EV9.