Compare the2024 Buick EnclaveVS 2024 Kia EV9

For enhanced safety, the Buick Enclave’s middle seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The Kia EV9 doesn’t offer comfort guides on its middle seat belts.

The Enclave has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, 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 Enclave and the EV9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

There are over 34 percent more Buick dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Enclave second among midsize suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The EV9 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

The Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 109 more horsepower (310 vs. 201) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 95 more horsepower (310 vs. 215) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor.

The Enclave stops shorter than the EV9:

The Buick Enclave’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.

The Enclave has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The EV9 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Enclave 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 Enclave offers an available 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 Enclave’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the EV9’s (39 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

The Buick Enclave may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1150 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

The Enclave 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 Enclave has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.7 inches more third row legroom, 6.6 inches more third row hip room and 2.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the EV9.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

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

The Enclave 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 costs extra on the EV9.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Enclave, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Buick Enclave outsold the Kia EV9 by over 35 to one during 2023.