2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking departure from the typical electric vehicle design, presenting a sportier and more svelte appearance reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Visually, 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 similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, mirroring the black trim below the bumper, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The overall design was both stylish and stable, with a wedgy profile that looked sharp and smooth, especially in matte silver paint.

The 2022 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's boxy past, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards luxury. The XC90 had a poised stance with a sleek roofline that managed to contain a large greenhouse without appearing bulky. Pronounced wheel arches and a snub nose added to its athletic look, while the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights paid homage to its Swedish heritage. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle, all contributing to a luxurious feel.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a range of powertrains, with the most powerful being the GT-Line e-AWD, which had two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This 4600-pound car could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, expected 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 single motor with 167 hp, which was not recommended. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models were more acceptable, with 225 hp and the larger battery. The dual-motor GT-Line provided a thrilling driving experience with quick torque delivery and excellent handling, even in challenging conditions. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging performance was better, with the car accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. The T8's electric motor provided early torque, smoothing out power delivery and eliminating turbo lag. The XC90 handled well for a large SUV, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Fuel economy varied by model, with the T8 offering up to 66 MPGe and an EV range of up to 36 miles.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as door handles that popped out when the key was near, paddle shifters, and a rotary shifter that always returned to center. 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 only 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for children but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. Towing capacity ranged from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even in extreme heat and humidity.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick settings adjustments and extensive connectivity options, though 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 EV6 featured a 360-degree surround-view camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. Higher trims included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues with state law.

The 2022 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures but was sometimes slow to respond. The nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen was positioned close to the driver's line of sight, minimizing distraction. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided easy customization and crisp graphics. The Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. The SUV featured multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies but came equipped with impressive safety tech, including 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 features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.