Compare the2026 Cadillac VistiqVS 2026 Kia EV9

The Cadillac Vistiq 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Vistiq. But it costs extra on the EV9.

A passive infrared night vision system standard on the Vistiq Premium Luxury/Platinum helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The EV9 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Cadillac Vistiq’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 Vistiq and the EV9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Cadillac Vistiq weighs 515 to 1220 pounds more than the Kia EV9. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Vistiq’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the EV9’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Kia is rated lower.

The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 414 more horsepower (615 vs. 201) and 392 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 400 more horsepower (615 vs. 215) and 392 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor. The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 236 more horsepower (615 vs. 379) and 207 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 443) than the EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors. The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 236 more horsepower (615 vs. 379) and 134 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 516) than the EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac Vistiq is faster than the Kia EV9:

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

The Vistiq can travel longer on a full charge than the EV9 on a full charge:

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

The Vistiq stops shorter than the EV9:

For better traction, the Vistiq has larger standard tires than the EV9 (285/45R21 vs. 255/60R19). The Vistiq’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EV9 (305/35R23 vs. 285/45R21).

The Vistiq’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EV9’s standard 60 series tires. The Vistiq’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the EV9 GT-Line’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Vistiq has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EV9. The Vistiq’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the EV9 GT-Line.

The Cadillac Vistiq’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia EV9 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Vistiq 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 Vistiq has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The EV9’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Vistiq Premium Luxury/Platinum’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the EV9’s (38.2 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

The Vistiq uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EV9 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Vistiq has 1.7 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more third row headroom than the EV9.

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the EV9 Wind/Land/GT-Line, the Vistiq has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

If the windows are left open on the Vistiq the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the EV9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Vistiq’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the EV9 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Vistiq has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Vistiq has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the EV9 Wind/Land/GT-Line.

The Cadillac Vistiq has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. 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.

The Cadillac Vistiq stands out above the Kia EV9 by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility. Both vehicles also offer Qi charging for the second row passengers.