2022 Kia EV6 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking vehicle, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E with its sporty and svelte design. It featured a lower and wider stance, visually enhanced by its highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the car a muscular look with hips similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its blade-sharp appearance. The interior was equally impressive, with dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather. Ambient lighting and futuristic design elements made the EV6 a joy to drive.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received a facelift with a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia. The grille was more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look. It maintained a car-based crossover appearance, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. The dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center, and the materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, giving it a bit more personality.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, was a powerhouse. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and handled corners with ease. 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 less powerful motor, which we didn't recommend. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered a more acceptable 225 hp. The EV6's torque delivery was smooth and immediate, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was relatively quick, but the real-world performance didn't match Kia's claims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, offered decent torque for city driving but struggled at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher rpm, and the six-speed automatic transmission's shifts were rough. The Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the fun-to-drive factor of some competitors. It also didn't match the solidity and refinement of the Honda CR-V, though it was comfortable on poorly maintained roads.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with 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 just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 when folded. Towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator was a useful feature.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, the front seat legroom was less than some competitors, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The tall seating position provided a good forward view, but rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons and knobs were prominently placed, making them easy to use. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system was standard, offering features like lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree surround-view cameras and remote parking system were impressive, though some Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose 7-speaker audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a major advantage, though the center-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies but came equipped with impressive safety tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.