2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban's front-end design was polarizing, with a mix of small headlights and large, busy grilles that didn't favor its massive frame. The interior, however, retained a familiar layout with controls in their usual places, making it user-friendly. The High Country trim, which we tested, featured woodgrain and leather but lacked the soft-touch materials expected in a luxury SUV, making it more akin to an upscale pickup.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 sported a sleek, sporty design reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its low and wide stance, combined with a highback tail and voluptuous curves, gave it a stylish and stable appearance. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and a mix of suede and leather seats, creating a futuristic yet comfortable cabin. The EV6's design elements, such as the flush door handles and hidden rear charge port, added to its modern appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a newly available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine provided excellent pickup and V8-level torque, making it suitable for both city driving and highway speeds. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality, but it still exhibited some truck-like tendencies, such as body roll and susceptibility to crosswinds.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, featured two electric motors generating 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the EV6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was impressive, with quick torque distribution and seamless power delivery. The regenerative braking system offered multiple settings, including a strong I-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, falling short of its EPA estimate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, 93.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats in use, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with the second-row captains' chairs providing impressive space. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, but the button shifter and power-sliding center console were less intuitive.

The 2022 Kia EV6 provided generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, thanks to its low floor. The rear seats reclined and had air vents with optional heated cushions, creating an airy and open space. However, the cargo space was limited, with only 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available head-up display and rear entertainment system with large touchscreens added to the convenience. The system's layout was sensible, with a helpful home button for easy navigation.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The 360-degree surround-view cameras and customizable "engine" sounds added to the tech-savvy experience. The head-up display used augmented reality for directional arrows and adaptive cruise control tracking. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat provided additional safety benefits.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist. However, there were no published test results from government or independent agencies in the U.S.