2024 Kia EV9 vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2023 Volvo XC60 presented a sophisticated and stylish appearance, maintaining Volvo's reputation as a leader in design. Despite the aging theme, the XC60 aged gracefully, with its 20-inch wheels and Thunder Grey paint enhancing its visual appeal. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian minimalism, featuring black leather, wood trim, metal accents, and ambient lighting, creating an opulent atmosphere. The panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space, while the Orrefors crystal gear selector knob in the Ultimate package elevated the luxury feel. Although the controls required some acclimation, they became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9 introduced a bold and modern design, with a blocky exterior reminiscent of a digital clock's numbers. The lighting signature, including the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, set it apart. The interior felt airy and fresh, enhanced by a light gray two-tone color scheme and dual sunroofs. The EV9 offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, and higher trims provided additional customizations. The SynTex seating surfaces were comfortable, and the fabric lining was durable, making the EV9's interior both practical and stylish.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. It offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The XC60 featured several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. In Pure mode, the XC60 achieved 38.3 miles of electric driving, while Power mode enhanced performance and handling. The XC60 averaged 54.6 mpg on a 65-mile evaluation route, showcasing its efficiency.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the Light trim's single motor, rear-wheel-drive setup producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 230-mile range. The Light Long Range model increased the range to 304 miles with a 99.8-kWh battery. The dual-motor AWD setup in Wind and Land trims delivered 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 280-mile range. The GT-Line trim prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a 270-mile range. The EV9's power delivery was smooth, and its regenerative braking system was adjustable, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, as a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five. The front seats offered exceptional comfort with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were comfortable but had limited legroom. The XC60 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The power liftgate and air suspension made loading easier, and a ski pass-through panel added versatility.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and 30.8 to 32.0 inches of legroom. It could seat up to seven passengers with a second-row bench seat. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 81.7 cubic feet with only the front-row seats in place. The EV9 featured a high and flat load floor, making luggage retrieval easier. Storage space up front was adequate, with a floating center console and a large open compartment on the floor.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system. It offered four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, supporting both Android and Apple CarPlay. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided exceptional audio quality. The infotainment system's intuitive interface and steering wheel controls enhanced usability.

The 2024 Kia EV9 boasted a three-screen curved display, including a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad as standard. The Land and GT-Line trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio sound system. The EV9's connectedness was noteworthy, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing for future upgrades and customization.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 was synonymous with safety, featuring Pilot Assist, an advanced driver-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. It excelled on highways, providing smooth and accurate performance. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. While the XC60 Recharge had not been crash-tested by NHTSA, the B5 and B6 mild-hybrids received top marks. The IIHS awarded the XC60 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning and stop-and-go capabilities. Blind-spot collision avoidance and forward collision avoidance were standard, while the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist were available on higher trims. The EV9 had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.