2022 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 squinted in 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 boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic and enjoyable driving environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT's design was less impressive, with its XRT treatment offering minimal visual contrast and lacking the sporty flair of the EV6. The XRT trim included side steps that, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit. The Santa Fe's interior, though not as upscale as higher trims, provided thoughtful design and high quality for its price point. The Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior gave it a monochromatic look, but the cabin's patterns and brightwork made it a pleasant space to spend time in.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD model delivered impressive performance with its 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The dual-motor setup provided seamless torque distribution, making it agile and responsive in various driving conditions. The EV6 offered multiple regenerative braking settings, including a strong I-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65% of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were lower than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, offered adequate performance for everyday driving. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the SUV's ride and handling were composed and refined. The Santa Fe's fuel economy was slightly below its EPA rating, averaging 22.3 mpg during testing. While the XRT's engine struggled on hills and during spirited driving, the Santa Fe's overall driving experience was comfortable and quiet, with excellent suspension isolation and minimal road noise.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a rotary shifter, but its climate and stereo controls on a thin touchscreen could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with rear seats that reclined and had air vents. However, its 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 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats ensured comfort, though the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat was a drawback. The Santa Fe's rear-seat accommodations were excellent, with ample room for a family of four and thoughtful features like rear side-window shades. The SUV offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and features like blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display with augmented reality. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The EV6's tech package included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system, but Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was simple to use, with large knobs for easy adjustments. While the XRT lacked the upgraded infotainment system available on higher trims, it included Hyundai's digital key technology and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The Santa Fe's Bluelink connected services provided remote engine starting and other features, enhancing convenience and safety.

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. However, it lacked published test results from U.S. safety organizations. The GT-Line trim added advanced features like evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT boasted a robust set of safety features, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. The Hyundai SmartSense package included forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe's Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist added extra layers of safety, while the ultrasonic rear occupant alert system provided peace of mind for families.