Compare the2024 Kia EV9VS 2023 Lexus RZ

The EV9 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The RZ doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the EV9 and the RZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 Kia EV9 weighs 474 to 1236 pounds more than the Lexus RZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The EV9 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The RZ’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV9 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the RZ. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the RZ ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV9’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors produces 71 more horsepower (379 vs. 308) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 321) than the RZ’s electric motors. The EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors produces 71 more horsepower (379 vs. 308) and 195 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 321) than the RZ’s electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the EV9 GT-Line electric motors is faster than the Lexus RZ:

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

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

For better traction, the EV9 has larger standard tires than the RZ (255/60R19 vs. 235/60R18). The EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RZ (285/45R21 vs. 235/60R18).

The EV9 GT-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RZ’s optional 50 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EV9 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RZ. The EV9 GT-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RZ.

The EV9 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The RZ doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV9’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the RZ (122 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV9 is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RZ.

The EV9 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RZ can only carry 5.

The EV9 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear legroom, 6.1 inches more rear hip room and 5.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the EV9’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The RZ doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The EV9 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The RZ has no towing capacity.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the EV9 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Lexus doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the RZ.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EV9 has a standard rear wiper. The RZ doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the EV9 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RZ doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The EV9 has standard front air conditioned seats and the EV9 Land/GT-Line also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The RZ doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The EV9 GT-Line has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RZ.

The EV9 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The RZ doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.