I prefer to talk about the current versione of MKX.
Kung Lao - XL (more balanced with tools across variations and not in a single character)
Jax - XL (he's stronger)
Sonya - 9 (insane character in that game, extremely good and with a more interesting stance gameplay)
Kenshi - XL (MK9 Kenshi is too much and the actual Kenshi is a more interesting character even he's bad)
Kitana - 9 (boring but stronger then in MKXL, still boring)
Scorpion - XL (much stronger)
Sub-Zero - XL (faster and with a more aggressive approach)
Mileena - XL (I mean... lel)
Kano - XL (nothing to say)
Johnny Cage - XL (more interesting gameplay, strong but require a brain and training unlike MK9 Cage)
Liu Kang - XL (see Cage XL)
Ermac - XL (insane and more interesting in XL, only mediocre in 9)
Reptile - XL (best version of Reptile ever)
Raiden - XL (the actual Raiden is a very well rounded character and by far, more interesting then MK9 Raiden)
Quan Chi - XL (nothing to say)
Sektor - XL (he's simply better for me)
Cyrax - 9 (poor Cyrax)
Smoke - 9 (love MKXL Smoke but the MK9 Smoke is the best looking character in MK9 and his tools are more viable in that game)
Cyber Sub-Zero - XL (no matter how bad or good is, Cyber Sub in MKXL is a more interesting character then before)