2022 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sporty and sleek design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a lower and wider stance that gave it a visually appealing presence. Its design featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar, and wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis, creating a body with pronounced hips. The EV6's headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile, combined with its matte silver paint, added to its sharp and smooth aesthetic. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and ambient lighting, creating a futuristic and enjoyable driving environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a design inspired by the Camaro, with a sporty appearance enhanced by 20-inch wheels. However, its styling was marred by a peculiar black trim on the rear bumper, giving it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with simple controls and Camaro-like elements in the infotainment and climate systems. The interior was marked by hard plastics, but the red interior accents in the RS trim added a touch of sophistication. Overall, the Blazer's design was appealing but lacked the refinement and cohesiveness of the EV6.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD variant, delivered impressive performance with 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience. The EV6's dual-motor setup provided seamless torque distribution, and its regenerative braking system allowed for customizable deceleration settings. However, the EV6's range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65% of its EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, but the infrastructure in the Boston to New York corridor limited its potential.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer RS, equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, produced 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It offered a firm and sporty ride, with decent grip and capable brakes. However, the Blazer's performance fell short on back roads, with a suspension that struggled to maintain composure and a nine-speed automatic transmission that was slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, detracting from the driving experience. The Blazer's fuel economy was slightly below its EPA rating, averaging 20.5 mpg in testing.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a rotary shifter. Its 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 EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it included an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer provided a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red accents in the RS trim. The front seats offered power adjustment and heating, though they lacked thigh support. The Blazer's dual-zone climate control was effective, and the rear seats were spacious and adjustable. Storage space was ample, with a large glove compartment and various bins and trays. The cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a 360-degree camera system. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the head-up display and Highway Driving Assist added to its tech appeal. The EV6's higher trims included 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 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, with separate stereo and climate controls. The Blazer offered enhanced voice recognition, connected navigation, and a wireless charging pad. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and a rear camera mirror, though rear visibility was limited.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GT-Line trim added evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning. However, the EV6 lacked published safety ratings from U.S. agencies.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, with features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. The Blazer also offered a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and an available Safety Alert Seat. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning were optional, but the Blazer's headlights did not earn high ratings from the IIHS.