2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford-era constraints and emerge with a near-luxury lineup of cars and crossover SUVs. The XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its elegant, tailored design featured short overhangs, an upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo, and distinctive Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The interior was a showcase of Scandinavian design, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, initially controversial, had become more accepted by 2021. The cabin’s details, such as the elegant HVAC vents, added to the XC60’s near-luxury status.

The 2022 Kia EV6, in contrast, presented a sportier and more svelte design compared to the Tesla Model Y. Its lower and wider stance, highback tail with a lip spoiler, and wheels stretched to the chassis corners gave it a dynamic look. The EV6’s headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sporty aesthetic. The interior featured dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and digital controls enhanced the futuristic feel. The EV6’s design was not just about aesthetics; it also offered practical features like a hidden rear charge port and flush door handles. The overall design and technology integration made the EV6 an enjoyable car to drive.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60 T8 PHEV could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone and offered a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg, with 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid and secure driving experience, making it a great road-trip car for small families.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, tested with two electric motors, produced 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, it could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The upcoming GT trim promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light, with a 58 kWh battery and 167 hp motor, was less impressive. The dual-motor GT-Line offered quick torque delivery and smooth power distribution, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The EV6’s regenerative braking system had more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6’s driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The heated seats, rear glass heater, and windshield defroster performed exceptionally well in winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 provided generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, its cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet with the seats folded. The RWD models offered a small front trunk, but the AWD models did not. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Volvo XC60’s Sensus infotainment system featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The portrait-oriented screen was divided into function quadrants, making it intuitive for frequent iPad users. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Volvo On Call app provided additional functionality like remote locking and starting. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test vehicle was exceptional.

The 2022 Kia EV6’s infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick settings adjustments and extensive connectivity options, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and surrounding vehicles. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. Standard tech included HDA, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, and a wireless charger. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to legal compliance issues.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system integrated adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Volvo limited the XC60’s top speed to 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came equipped with impressive safety tech. Standard features included HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added front parking sensors, automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist. The adaptive cruise control with machine learning was available on the GT-Line.