Compare the2026 Mazda CX-90VS 2026 Kia EV9

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the EV9.

Both the CX-90 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the Kia EV9:

	CX-90	EV9
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	116	265
Leg Forces (l/r)	324/335 lbs.	273/407 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	255	267
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.8 inches
Neck Stress	96 lbs.	129 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	253/344 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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the Kia EV9:

	CX-90	EV9
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	43 G’s

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

The CX-90’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’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

The CX-90 has more powerful engines than the EV9:

	Horsepower	Torque
CX-90 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	280 HP	332 lbs.-ft.
CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	323 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
CX-90 Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	340 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
EV9 Light Long Range electric motor	201 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
EV9 Light electric motor	215 HP	258 lbs.-ft.

The CX-90 PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 527 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The EV9’s range is only 230 to 305 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 20 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 84 hours and 20 minutes.

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the EV9:

	CX-90	EV9
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the EV9 (265/55R19 vs. 255/60R19).

The CX-90 Select’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EV9’s standard 60 series tires.

The CX-90 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.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the EV9 Land AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the EV9’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the EV9 (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches).

The Mazda CX-90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 550 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the EV9 can only carry up to 7.

The CX-90 has .3 inches more front legroom and 1.8 inches more third row hip room than the EV9.

The CX-90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EV9’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-90 retains 53.28% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 35.24% resale value of the 2026 Kia EV9 after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $17778 in depreciation.

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the Kia EV9 by almost four to one during 2025.