Compare the2024 Kia EV9VS 2024 Lincoln Aviator

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the EV9 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Aviator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The EV9 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Aviator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, the Kia EV9 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the EV9 and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Kia EV9 (Built after January 2024) achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Aviator is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

The EV9 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Aviator’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV9 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lincoln covers the Aviator. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Aviator ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 47 percent more Kia dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the EV9’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 13 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

The EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6. The EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors produces 101 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the EV9 GT-Line electric motors is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the EV9 gets better mileage than the Aviator:

The EV9 can travel with zero emissions for 230 to 304 miles (dependent on model). The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the EV9’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Aviator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The EV9 has a standard locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage; a locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia EV9 higher (10 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5). This means the EV9 produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the EV9’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

The EV9 stops shorter than the Aviator:

For better traction, the EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (285/45R21 vs. 275/40R22).

The EV9’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Aviator doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV9’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Aviator (122 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The EV9 GT-Line AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Aviator AWD (26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The EV9 has 14.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (158.8 vs. 144.7).

The EV9 has .9 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more third row headroom, 1.6 inches more third row legroom, 1 inch more third row hip room and 1 inch more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV9’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.

The EV9’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the EV9, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Aviator.

When the EV9 Land/GT-Line is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Aviator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia EV9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Black Label offers wireless charging.

The EV9 (except Light/Wind)’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Aviator (except Premiere)’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The EV9 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Aviator has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV9 as the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Aviator has never been chosen.