Compare the2024 Kia EV9VS 2024 Subaru Ascent

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the EV9 and Ascent have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The EV9 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Ascent’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The EV9 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Ascent Premium/Onyx/Limited/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the EV9 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Ascent Premium/Onyx/Limited/Touring offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Ascent’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the EV9 and the Ascent 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, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Kia EV9 weighs 503 to 1418 pounds more than the Subaru Ascent. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia EV9 is safer than the Ascent:

	EV9	Ascent
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	25	82
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	.83 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.83 in	.98 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	66	211
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	1.26 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.59 in	1.18 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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 Ascent’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV9 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Ascent. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Ascent ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 23 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the EV9’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 12th.

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 Subaru 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, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors produces 119 more horsepower (379 vs. 260) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors produces 119 more horsepower (379 vs. 260) and 239 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

	EV9	Ascent
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.3 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101.6 MPH	88.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
EV9
	RWD	Light Long Range Electric Motor	100 city/78 hwy
		Light Electric Motor	99 city/77 hwy
	AWD	Land/Wind Electric Motors	91 city/75 hwy
		GT-Line Electric Motors	88 city/72 hwy
Ascent
			MPG
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited/Touring/Onyx 2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy

The EV9 can travel with zero emissions for 230 to 304 miles (dependent on model). The Ascent 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 Ascent doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The EV9, as a pure battery electric vehicle, has no need to “idle” its motors in traffic: they only burn power when moving. The EV9’s climate control systems still work completely when the vehicle is stopped. The Ascent still runs its internal combustion engine whenever it’s stopped, burning excess fuel.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	EV9	Ascent
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches

The EV9 stops shorter than the Ascent:

	EV9	Ascent
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the EV9 has larger standard tires than the Ascent (255/60R19 vs. 245/60R18). The EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ascent (285/45R21 vs. 245/60R18).

The EV9 GT-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EV9 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Ascent. The EV9 GT-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring.

Suspension and Handling

The EV9 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Ascent doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The EV9 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV9’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the Ascent (122 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV9 is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Ascent.

The EV9’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (47.9% to 52.1%) than the Ascent’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the EV9 more stable handling and braking.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Ascent Touring (26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the EV9 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ascent doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the EV9 GT-Line AWD is quieter than the Ascent Touring:

	EV9	Ascent
At idle	31 dB	40 dB
Full-Throttle	69 dB	73 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	67 dB

Passenger Space

The EV9 has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ascent (158.8 vs. 153.2).

The EV9 has 1.6 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 4.2 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear hip room and 3.3 inches more third row headroom than the Ascent.

Cargo Capacity

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

	EV9	Ascent
Behind Third Seat	20.2 cubic feet	17.8 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	81.7 cubic feet	75.6 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the EV9’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Ascent doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the EV9’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The EV9 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ascent uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The EV9 Land/GT-Line’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The EV9 GT-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the EV9 and the Ascent have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the EV9 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ascent prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The EV9’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the EV9’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The EV9 has a standard Smart Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start costs extra on the Ascent and isn’t available on the Ascent Base.

The EV9’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The EV9’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Onyx/Limited/Touring.

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 Ascent’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The EV9 has standard front air conditioned seats and the EV9 Land/GT-Line also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Ascent doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The EV9 GT-Line has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Ascent.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the Ascent.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The EV9 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The EV9 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Ascent 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 Ascent has never been chosen.