Compare the2025 Subaru AscentVS 2025 Kia EV9

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The EV9 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the EV9.

Both the Ascent 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, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (260 vs. 201) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (260 vs. 215) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The EV9 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Ascent stops shorter than the EV9:

The Ascent 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 Ascent’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the EV9’s (38 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8.7 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Ascent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1250 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Ascent Limited is quieter than the EV9 GT-Line AWD (64 vs. 67 dB).

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

The Ascent has .8 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear shoulder room, .9 inches more third row legroom, 4 inches more third row hip room and 2 inches more third row shoulder room than the EV9.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Ascent. The EV9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 56% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent 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 Subaru Ascent has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the EV9.

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

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Kia EV9 by almost three to one during 2024.