2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and taillights that looked like they came off a Lexus model, gave it a distinctive look. The Highlander XSE trim added a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia, making it appear sportier. The Limited trim, with chrome roof rails and accents, looked upscale and luxurious, especially on the inside with its near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and wood details.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, was sportier and svelte, resembling a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had a lower and wider visual 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 curvy, stable look. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp appearance. The interior featured dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and black and white seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and a hockey-puck shifter further enhanced its futuristic feel.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. While it wasn't designed for drag races, it provided enough power for highway merging. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, tightening up the suspension for a slightly sportier feel.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It could zip to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and cornered like a getaway car. The top-power GT trim promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6's regenerative braking offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, delivering only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by the charging network's output.

The 2021 Highlander excelled in interior space and comfort. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, a wireless charging pad, and plenty of legroom for second-row passengers. The third row could accommodate adults if the second row was moved forward. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, its cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The high load floor and low roof height reduced its practicality. Towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Limited and Platinum trims. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, but the navigation system struggled with points of interest. The JBL audio system sounded good, but the 12.3-inch screen only displayed certain apps in full width.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with dual 12-inch screens, wireless charging, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo on higher trims. It featured Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display with augmented reality. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues with state laws.

The 2021 Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came with an impressive array of safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise with machine learning.