Compare the2026 Lincoln AviatorVS 2026 Kia EV9

The Lincoln Aviator 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 Aviator 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 Aviator 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 and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Kia EV9:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Kia EV9:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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

The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 199 more horsepower (400 vs. 201) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light Long Range’s standard electric motor. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 185 more horsepower (400 vs. 215) and 157 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 258) than the EV9 Light’s standard electric motor. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 21 more horsepower (400 vs. 379) than the EV9 Land/Wind’s standard electric motors. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 21 more horsepower (400 vs. 379) than the EV9 GT-Line’s standard electric motors.

The Aviator stops shorter than the EV9:

The Aviator’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EV9’s standard 60 series tires. The Aviator’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the EV9 GT-Line’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Aviator has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EV9. The Aviator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the EV9 GT-Line.

The Aviator offers an optional 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 Aviator has a standard 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.

The Aviator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the EV9’s (47.9% to 52.1%). This gives the Aviator more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Aviator’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the EV9’s (39.2 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EV9 (8.7 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Lincoln Aviator may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 950 pounds less than the Kia EV9.

The Aviator Reserve/Black Label 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 Aviator has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the EV9.

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 Aviator. The EV9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

If the windows are left open on the Aviator the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the EV9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Aviator (except Premiere) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The EV9 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Aviator (except Premiere) also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Aviator 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 is only available on the EV9 Wind/Land/GT-Line.

The Lincoln Aviator has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the EV9.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lincoln Aviator retains 45.62% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 35.24% resale value of the 2025 Kia EV9 after five years, which can save the Lincoln’s owner up to $4104.18855 in depreciation.

The Lincoln Aviator outsold the Kia EV9 by 13% during 2024.