2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 had a sporty and svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It appeared lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a hip-like appearance. The EV6 had voluptuous curves similar to a Porsche 911, enhancing both style and stability. The headlights squinted in anger, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim below on the bumper. The wedgy profile looked sharp with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, while the matte silver paint added a smooth and silken finish.

The 2023 Volvo XC90, in contrast, showcased a purposeful yet understated design. Its front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy. The grille was assertive and bold, complemented by the modern "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The XC90 maintained a rectilinear shape but had evolved far from the boxy designs of older Volvo models. The test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding a touch of drama. The Platinum Gray paint had brown undertones, giving it richness and depth. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its two electric motors, produced 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It had a 77-kilowatt-hour battery and could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and a 167 hp motor, which was not recommended. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered 225 hp. The dual-motor GT-Line provided a thrilling driving experience with quick torque delivery and effective power routing. The regenerative braking system had more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the car accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were lower than Kia's claims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, featuring both a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness but did not offer full-hybrid benefits. The XC90 provided a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle handled well, with minimal roll through corners and excellent insulation from road and wind noise. The brakes were solid and confidence-inspiring. The XC90's driving dynamics were straightforward, with limited customizable options, but it performed well in various conditions, including a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had limited cubby space for smaller items. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with captain’s chairs for an additional cost, but this required upgrading to the B6 engine. The third row was difficult to access and offered limited space. The XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This was less than some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, making it more maneuverable.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick settings adjustments and ample connectivity. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed surrounding vehicles and a 3D bar graph of power and speed but lacked customization. The Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system had two versions, with HDA 2 offering automatic lane changes. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality. Higher trims included 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 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with built-in Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. Natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design lacked physical buttons and redundant controls, making some features less accessible. While these issues might fade with long-term use, they could be challenging during a test drive.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech. Standard features included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added front parking sensors, automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise with "machine learning."

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and helped keep the vehicle in its lane. These features worked well even in challenging conditions, such as Boston traffic.