Compare the2025 Kia EV9VS 2024 Buick Enclave

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Kia EV9 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia EV9 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

Both the EV9 and Enclave 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 Enclave’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 Kia EV9 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia EV9 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Buick Enclave has not been tested.

Both the EV9 and Enclave have rear cross-traffic warning, but the EV9 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Enclave’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The EV9’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Enclave doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the EV9 and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, 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 available around view monitors.

The Kia EV9 weighs 408 to 1481 pounds more than the Buick Enclave. 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 Enclave:

	EV9	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	25	141
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	446 lbs.
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.83 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	66	189
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.59 in	1.22 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	402 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia EV9 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Enclave is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

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 Enclave’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 Buick covers the Enclave. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Enclave ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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 Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 2 places higher in reliability than Buick.

Engine

The EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors produces 69 more horsepower (379 vs. 310) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors produces 69 more horsepower (379 vs. 310) and 250 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia EV9 is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	EV9 Land/Wind	EV9 GT-Line	Enclave
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	1.6 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	4.5 sec	7.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3 sec	1.9 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14 sec	13.3 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	101 MPH	92 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the EV9 GT-Line electric motors is faster than the Buick Enclave (base engine):

	EV9	Enclave
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	84.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			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
Enclave
			MPG
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

The EV9 can travel with zero emissions for 230 to 304 miles (dependent on model). The Enclave 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 Enclave 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 Enclave. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage; a locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Buick Enclave (6). This means the EV9 produces up to 12.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Enclave every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	EV9	Enclave
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.4 inches

The EV9 stops much shorter than the Enclave:

	EV9	Enclave
70 to 0 MPH	178 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Enclave (285/45R21 vs. 255/65R18).

The EV9’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Enclave’s standard 65 series tires. The EV9 GT-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Enclave’s optional 55 series tires.

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

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 Enclave doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 Enclave doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV9’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Enclave (122 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The EV9’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (47.9% to 52.1%) than the Enclave’s (57% to 43%). This gives the EV9 more stable handling and braking.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Enclave Essence pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Enclave Avenir (26.3 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the EV9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (7.8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the EV9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The EV9 is 7.6 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the EV9 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

	EV9	Enclave
At idle	31 dB	38 dB
Full-Throttle	69 dB	78 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	67 dB

Passenger Space

The EV9 has .2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more third row headroom than the Enclave.

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

Cargo Capacity

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 Enclave doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Towing

The EV9’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the EV9 uses 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. The Enclave doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The EV9’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

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 Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the EV9 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Kia EV9 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Enclave Premium/Avenir.

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 Enclave doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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 Enclave doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia EV9 and the Buick Enclave, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EV9 first among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Enclave isn’t in the top three in its category.

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

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