Compare the2024 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2024 Kia EV9

The Grand Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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.

The Grand Highlander has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The EV9 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Grand Highlander 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EV9.

There are over 59 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 10th.

The Grand Highlander 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 Grand Highlander’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 Grand Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Grand Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 900 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

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

The Grand Highlander has .3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more third row legroom, 3.8 inches more third row hip room and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the EV9.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the EV9.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grand Highlander Platinum 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 Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Kia EV9 by almost 43 to one during 2023.