Compare the2025 Subaru AscentVS 2026 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.

The Subaru Ascent’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia EV9 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Kia EV9:

	Ascent	EV9
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	190	265
Neck Injury Risk	21%	31.9%
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	13 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	159/292 lbs.	273/407 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	210	267
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.8 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	35/30 lbs.	462/471 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Kia EV9:

	Ascent	EV9
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	87 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	149	183
Hip Force	637 lbs.	728 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ascent second among upper midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The EV9 isn’t in the top three.

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:

	Ascent	EV9
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

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 1200 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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Subaru Ascent retains 50.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 35.24% resale value of the 2025 Kia EV9 after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner up to $15659.70331 in depreciation.

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.