Compare the2025 Ford ExplorerVS 2025 Kia EV9

The Ford Explorer 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 Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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.

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

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Explorer second among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The EV9 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Explorer has more powerful engines than the EV9:

The Explorer stops much shorter than the EV9:

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer 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 Explorer 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 Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the EV9 Land AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the EV9 Land AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the EV9’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Platinum has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8.2 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Explorer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 750 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Explorer Active 4WD is quieter than the EV9 GT-Line AWD (66 vs. 67 dB).

The Explorer has 1.6 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room and 1.4 inches more third row legroom than the EV9.

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

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the EV9’s in almost every dimension:

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The EV9 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

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

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

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

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, 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 see further while navigating curves, the Explorer 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.

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

The Ford Explorer outsold the Kia EV9 by almost 9 to one during 2024.