2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a striking and sporty design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its low and wide stance. Its exterior featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar, and wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis, giving it a dynamic presence. The EV6's voluptuous curves and squinting headlights added to its aggressive look, while the wedgy profile and smooth lower body, especially in matte silver paint, enhanced its sleek appearance. The interior was equally impressive, with dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and a mix of suede and leather seats, creating a futuristic and enjoyable driving environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while not as visually striking as the EV6, offered a more traditional SUV aesthetic with a light restyle for the model year. It featured new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages like the Redline Edition. The RS trim, in particular, showcased blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, giving it a more refined look. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, a black headliner, and gloss black trim, creating a comfortable yet somewhat cave-like atmosphere. The interior design was simple and logical, with easy-to-use controls and a focus on practicality.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the EV6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience. The EV6's handling was sharp, with quick torque distribution and a variety of regenerative braking settings, including a one-pedal driving mode. However, the EV6's range was a concern, especially in cold weather, where it fell short of its EPA estimate, highlighting the need for frequent charging.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, provided a solid performance for a family SUV. The nine-speed automatic transmission complemented the engine well, and the Traverse's tow rating of 5,000 pounds added to its versatility. While the V6 engine could whine under acceleration, it was well-suited for everyday driving tasks. The Traverse offered a comfortable ride, though it could feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds. Its handling was predictable, making it a reliable choice for family road trips.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a spacious interior with generous legroom and headroom, thanks to its low floor design. The rear seats reclined and had air vents, providing comfort for passengers. 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 featured an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse excelled in interior space, with seating for up to seven passengers in the RS trim. The second-row captain's chairs and Smart Slide function made accessing the third row easy. The Traverse offered ample legroom and headroom, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. Cargo space was generous, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet. The Traverse also featured hidden storage compartments for added convenience.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. While it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered a range of standard tech features, including Highway Driving Assist and blind-spot monitoring. The EV6's tech package was impressive, with a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim level. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a WiFi hotspot and Teen Driver technology. The Traverse's voice recognition system was responsive, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. While it lacked published test results from U.S. agencies, its safety tech was impressive, with features like evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered standard Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. While the Traverse had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, it received top ratings in collision-related tests.