2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive color—Sage Green Metallic. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly.

The 2022 Kia EV6, in contrast, had a sportier and more svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was lower and wider visually, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the corners, giving the body a hip-like appearance. The headlights had a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was blade-sharp up top with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior featured dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting flowed around the dash, and the hockey-puck shifter and digital controls added to the futuristic feel. The EV6 was designed to be car-first, computer-second, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 had 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor for each axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. The 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered 75 kWh of usable capacity. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, the most powerful model at launch, had two electric motors producing 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 top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a sub-3.5-second 0-60 time. The base EV6 Light had a smaller 58 kWh 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 quick and smooth torque delivery, with excellent handling in various conditions. The regenerative braking system had over 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 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models. However, it offered less legroom and headroom than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited due to powertrain hardware. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin, a bag hook in the glovebox, and large door bins thanks to relocated speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a single USB-C port. Second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with features like 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 while driving. The low floor provided generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions. The rear seats reclined and had air vents with optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 when folded. The front trunk offered additional space in RWD models but was occupied by an electric motor in AWD models. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard setup had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also offered OTA update capability for various vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel showed vehicles in surrounding lanes and a 3D bar graph of power and speed. 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 had a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came with impressive standard tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and more. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking and 360 cameras. The GT-Line included evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise with "machine learning."