2022 Kia EV6 vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sporty and sleek design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was visually lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a curvy, hip-like appearance similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive squint, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim on the bumper. The EV6's profile was sharp and angular on top, with a smooth, silken finish below, especially in the matte silver paint of the test car.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its massive size and unapologetic design. The grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its bulk, with the taillights evoking the sky-high tailfins of classic Cadillacs. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive. The Escalade's 22-inch wheels appeared small against the vast expanse of sheet metal. Different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models added to its distinct look, emphasizing the vehicle's bulk and presence.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its two electric motors, produced 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It had a 77-kilowatt-hour battery and could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, arriving 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 less powerful motor, which was not recommended. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered a more acceptable 225 hp. The EV6's performance was impressive, with quick torque delivery and effective power routing, making it enjoyable to drive in various conditions. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive. The diesel engine, tested for this review, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for pulling away from stops. The gasoline engine had a slight advantage in towing capacity, with a maximum of 8,200 pounds. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with noticeable vibrations and a lack of off-road capability compared to its GM cousins.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with innovative features like 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 to use while driving. The interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with only 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, offering a cavernous cabin. It provided the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a power-folding third-row bench seat. The cargo space was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console lacked storage space, and the front seats felt like they could have come from one of the Escalade’s GM cousins. Cadillac did include dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick settings adjustments and ample connectivity, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp and clear, and the head-up display used augmented reality for directional arrows. 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 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the display blended seamlessly with the dashboard. The touchscreen's icons were arranged to fit its shape, and physical toggles were retained for climate control. The 360-degree camera system provided unparalleled resolution, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. The Escalade also offered night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, though tuning the sound system was challenging.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive tech, including a driver's knee airbag, 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 features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise with "machine learning."

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist tech such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on Premium Luxury Platinum trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. However, the IIHS and NHTSA did not publish safety ratings for this model year.