2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a striking and sporty design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a lower and wider stance that gave it a visually appealing presence. Its short highback tail featured a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar, and the wheels were pushed to the far corners of the chassis, creating a sense of stability and style. The EV6's headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile, combined with the matte silver paint, added to its sharp and 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 Kia Sportage's design was a mix of successful and less appealing elements. While the tiger-nose grille styling worked well on other Kia models, it seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a fake mustache. However, the SUV excelled in other design aspects, such as the four-dot running light signature and the symmetrical rear fascia. Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic design with polished metallic accents and a high-contrast interior available in various colors. The dashboard was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy access to the infotainment system, and the overall feel was upscale and of high quality.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered impressive performance, especially in the GT-Line e-AWD variant, which featured two 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, with a top-power GT trim promising even more power at 576 hp. The EV6's handling was agile, with quick torque distribution and a seamless driving experience. However, the driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the EV6 delivering only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, particularly in the SX Turbo trim, delivered a robust performance with its 240 hp engine and 260 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery, and the Sportage's acceleration was quick, especially in Sport mode. The SUV's suspension offered a smooth and compliant ride, with a hint of body roll but nothing excessive. While the Sportage felt athletic and sporty in turns, it lacked the refinement of some competitors. Overall, the Sportage SX Turbo was fun to drive, though not as refined as the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

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

The 2022 Kia Sportage provided a roomy passenger compartment, with comfortable front seats featuring power adjustments and heating/ventilation options. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo space was adequate, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The smart liftgate technology added convenience, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a range of connectivity options. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EV6 featured advanced safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation, and the Meridian stereo system provided excellent sound quality. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and a premium Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was easy to use, the UVO Link system felt outdated, lacking a WiFi hotspot and offering wired smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was straightforward and user-friendly.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, 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, there were no published test results from U.S. safety organizations at the time.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a robust set of safety features across all trims, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.