2021 Chevrolet Trax vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and by 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2022 Kia EV6 was sportier and more svelte compared to the Tesla Model Y, with a lower and wider visual stance. It featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, and wheels stretched to the furthest corners of the chassis. The EV6 had voluptuous curves for style and stability, squinting headlights tracing a V-shaped pattern, and a wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and black and white 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and made considerable noise. The Trax had a firm ride, harsh over potholes, but offered solid maneuverability in tight spaces due to its tight turning radius. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 provided more comfortable and fun driving experiences.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, tested with two electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, it accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and handled corners adeptly. The top-power GT trim promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and a 167 hp motor, which was less recommended. The dual-motor GT-Line offered impressive torque distribution, especially in Sport mode, and the regenerative braking system allowed for one-pedal driving. However, cold weather significantly reduced its driving range, and charging times varied depending on the station's output.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but poorly bolstered rear seats. It featured multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. The Trax offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items, but there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with 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 EV6 provided generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The RWD models offered a small front trunk, while the AWD models had an electric motor occupying that space. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, offering easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. It came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with settings full of connectivity options, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel showed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for directional arrows. The tech included HDA, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, a wireless charger, and navigation. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection available in the LT Convenience Package. However, it lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning.

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