2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Kia EV6

Ford had taken a traditional approach to SUV production with the 2021 Explorer, offering a range of sizes that all bore a family resemblance. The Explorer, with its sporty, raked belt lines and squinting visages, looked good from the outside, though it was sometimes hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer came in six trim levels, each with varying degrees of exterior and interior refinement, starting from the base trim at $32,925 to the Platinum at $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large knobs and buttons for the audio system and climate controls. The center console housed a rotary gearshift, freeing up space for storage.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, was a sportier and more svelte vehicle, visually reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a lower and wider stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were stretched to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a curvaceous look similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in anger, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim below on the bumper. The EV6's interior was equally impressive, with 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 rear passengers, creating an airy and open space. The EV6's design was both stylish and functional, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride’s V6 engine in terms of power, though the Telluride was lighter. The Explorer's higher trims offered a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented ST trim providing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer was more about towing power, with a capacity ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD with two electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, this 4,600-pound car could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, expected in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6's dual-motor GT-Line offered a thrilling driving experience, with quick and effective torque distribution. The regenerative braking system provided more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the car delivering only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate in below-freezing temperatures. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by the available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in other trims. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive but not class-leading. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented several core functions, such as door handles that popped out when the key was near and a rotary shifter that always returned to center. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, with rear seats that reclined and had air vents with optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an upgrade to a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging access included two USB ports in the center console and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured a simple and quick infotainment system, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel showed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes. The EV6 came with a 360-degree surround-view camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. Standard tech included Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, and a wireless charger. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came with an impressive array of safety tech. Standard features 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 advanced adaptive cruise control.