Compare the2026 Kia EV6VS 2026 Volvo EX40

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia EV6 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volvo EX40 has not been tested.

Both the EV6 and the EX40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia EV6 is safer than the EX40:

The EV6 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The EX40’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV6 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EX40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the EX40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV6’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 77 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 5 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

On the EPA test cycle the EV6 gets better mileage than the EX40:

The EV6 can travel longer on a full charge than the EX40 on a full charge:

For better traction, the EV6 GT-Line e-AWD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EX40 (255/45R20 vs. 235/50R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV6’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the EX40 (114.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV6 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EX40.

The EV6 Wind e-AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the EX40 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The EV6 Wind e-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the EX40 Ultra (26.1 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

The Kia EV6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Volvo EX40.

The front grille of the EV6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EX40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The EV6 has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the EX40 (103 vs. 98).

The EV6 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and 2.9 inches more rear legroom than the EX40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV6’s rear seats recline. The EX40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the EV6 is 1.1 inches lower than the EX40 (16.6” vs. 17.7”). The EV6’s rear step up height is 1.4 inches lower than the EX40’s (16.8” vs. 18.2”).

The EV6 has a much larger cargo volume than the EX40 with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the EV6 easier. The EV6’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the EX40’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

The EV6’s cargo area is larger than the EX40’s in almost every dimension:

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo EX40 is limited to 2000 pounds. The EV6 offers up to a 2300 lbs. towing capacity.

The EV6 Light/Wind/GT-Line’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EX40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The EV6 GT-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EX40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the EV6 has standard extendable sun visors. The EX40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the EV6 Wind/GT-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EX40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The EV6 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the rear seat, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EX40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The EV6 GT-Line’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EX40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The EV6 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The EX40 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV6 as the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The EX40 has never been chosen.