Compare the2025 Kia EV9VS 2025 Volvo EX90

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia EV9 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volvo EX90 has not been tested.

Both the EV9 and the EX90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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, 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 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The EX90 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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 EX90’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV9 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EX90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EX90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 79 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 6 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the EV9 gets better mileage than the EX90:

The EV9’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX90 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EX90 (285/45R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The EV9’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The EX90 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV9’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the EX90 (122 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV9 is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EX90.

The Kia EV9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 1100 pounds less than the Volvo EX90.

The EV9 has 18.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EX90 (158.8 vs. 140).

The EV9 has .5 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, 6.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.4 inches more rear hip room, 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.7 inches more third row headroom and 8.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the EX90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV9’s middle and third row seats recline. The EX90’s third row seats don’t recline.

The EV9’s cargo area provides more volume than the EX90.

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo EX90 is limited to 4850 pounds. The EV9 AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The EV9’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The EX90’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

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 EX90 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The EV9 has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EX90 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The EV9 (except Light/Wind)’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EX90’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The EV9 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The EX90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The EV9 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The EX90 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV9 as the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The EX90 has never been chosen.

The Kia EV9 outsold the Volvo EX90 by over 8 to one during 2024.