Compare the2025 Cadillac Escalade IQVS 2024 Kia EV9

The Cadillac Escalade IQ 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Escalade IQ. But it costs extra on the EV9.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade IQ helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The EV9 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Escalade IQ has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, 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 Escalade IQ and the EV9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and driver alert monitors.

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

The Escalade IQ’s electric motors produces 549 more horsepower (750 vs. 201) and 527 lbs.-ft. more torque (785 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The Escalade IQ’s electric motors produces 535 more horsepower (750 vs. 215) and 527 lbs.-ft. more torque (785 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor. The Escalade IQ’s electric motors produces 371 more horsepower (750 vs. 379) and 342 lbs.-ft. more torque (785 vs. 443) than the EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors. The Escalade IQ’s electric motors produces 371 more horsepower (750 vs. 379) and 269 lbs.-ft. more torque (785 vs. 516) than the EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors.

The Escalade IQ can travel longer on a full charge than the EV9 on a full charge:

For better traction, the Escalade IQ has larger tires than the EV9 (275/50R24 vs. 255/60R19).

The Escalade IQ’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EV9’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade IQ has standard 24-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EV9. The EV9’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Cadillac Escalade IQ’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia EV9 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Escalade IQ 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 front and rear suspension of the Escalade IQ uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the EV9, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Escalade IQ has a standard 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade IQ’s wheelbase is 14.2 inches longer than on the EV9 (136.2 inches vs. 122 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade IQ is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the EV9.

For better maneuverability, the Escalade IQ’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the EV9’s (39.3 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

The Escalade IQ 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 Escalade IQ has 3.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EV9 (161.9 vs. 158.8).

The Escalade IQ has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room, 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.5 inches more third row legroom, 7.5 inches more third row hip room and 1.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the EV9.

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

The Escalade IQ’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 Cadillac service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 45% lower rating, Kia is ranked 24th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the EV9 Land/GT-Line, the Escalade IQ offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Escalade IQ has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Escalade IQ also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Escalade IQ 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.

Both the Escalade IQ and the EV9 offer available massaging front seats. The Escalade IQ also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the EV9.

Both the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the Kia EV9 have a standard Qi wireeless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the second row seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the Escalade IQ also offers an optional wireless charging system with chargers for two devices.

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the Kia EV9 by over 37 to one during 2023.