2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which began with the original Land Rover Series I in 1948. This model, inspired by the Willys Jeep, evolved through the Series II, III, and the Land Rover 90 and 110, before adopting the Defender name in 1990. The original Defender, with its distinctive round headlamps, boxy cabin, and rugged aesthetic, was produced with minimal changes until 2016, though it was only available in the U.S. from 1993 to 1997. The new Defender aimed to blend the classic ruggedness with modern design elements, featuring half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and a floating roof. The interior maintained an exposed structural theme with high-quality materials, a digital instrument panel, and a center touchscreen interface.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, presented a sportier and more modern aesthetic compared to its corporate cousin, the Hyundai IONIQ 5. With a design reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the EV6 featured a low and wide stance, a highback tail with a lip spoiler, and wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis. The car's voluptuous curves and aggressive headlights added to its sporty appeal. Inside, the EV6 boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and futuristic design elements, such as a hockey-puck shifter and digital controls, enhanced the car's modern and tech-forward feel.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp was announced for 2022. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response systems. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, tested with two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, accelerated from 0-60 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 base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and a single motor with 167 hp, while the single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered 225 hp. The EV6's 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, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging performance varied, with the car accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform shared with other Land Rover models, featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension for improved on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible seating configurations, including an optional jump seat in the front and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space in the 110 model was 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door 90 model had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a rotary shifter. The interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50 cubic feet with the seats folded. The RWD models had a small front trunk, while the AWD models had less space due to the front motor. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates to 14 individual modules. The Pivi Pro infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, were available for off-roading. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. The system included Highway Driving Assist (HDA), blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, and a wireless charger. 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 with state laws.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS but came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including front airbags, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing in harsh conditions.

The 2022 Kia EV6 also lacked published test results but offered impressive standard safety tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.