Compare the2024 Honda PilotVS 2024 Kia EV9

The Honda Pilot 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Pilot deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Pilot’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The EV9’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Pilot has standard HondaLink Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 Pilot and the EV9 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Honda Pilot 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 EV9 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Pilot’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the EV9 runs out after 100,000 miles.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Pilot for 2 years or 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EV9.

There are over 35 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 5 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 84 more horsepower (285 vs. 201) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 70 more horsepower (285 vs. 215) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor.

The Pilot has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The EV9 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Pilot TrailSport 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.

For better maneuverability, the Pilot TrailSport’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the EV9’s (37.7 feet vs. 40.6 feet). The Pilot’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the EV9’s (37.8 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Pilot TrailSport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Pilot to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Honda Pilot may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1100 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

The Pilot uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EV9 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The Pilot has .3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row legroom, 2.7 inches more third row hip room and 4.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the EV9.

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

The Pilot’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the EV9’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Pilot, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda Pilot outsold the Kia EV9 by almost 99 to one during 2023.