Compare the2025 Ford ExplorerVS 2024 Kia EV9

The Ford Explorer 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 Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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.

The Explorer has standard 911 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 Explorer 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The EV9 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

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

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Explorer second among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The EV9 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Explorer has more powerful engines than the EV9:

The Explorer stops much shorter than the EV9:

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The EV9 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire 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 Explorer’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the EV9’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Platinum has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8.2 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Explorer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 750 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Explorer Active 4WD is quieter than the EV9 GT-Line AWD (66 vs. 67 dB).

The Explorer has 1.6 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room and 1.4 inches more third row legroom than the EV9.

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

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EV9’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The EV9 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Kia EV9 by over 167 to one during 2023.