2022 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking vehicle with a sporty and svelte design reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a lower and wider stance, visually enhanced by its short highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a distinct hip-like appearance. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those of a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. Its headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, mirroring the black trim below the bumper, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The car's wedgy profile, with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, contributed to its blade-sharp appearance, while the matte silver paint added a smooth and silken finish.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza had a modern exterior design that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. Its most notable design feature was a deeply scalloped body side that bulged to form the rear fender, emphasizing power. The tailgate was eye-catching, bisected horizontally with a stripe of LED lighting. The Venza's nose was prominent, with an overhang beyond the front wheels, making it more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures. Inside, the Venza offered an elegant interior layout with high-quality materials, a layered dash, and a steep windshield. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, while the rear seats could accommodate three adults with ease.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a range of powertrains, with the most powerful being the GT-Line e-AWD, which featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the 4600-pound car to accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's performance was further enhanced by its 77-kilowatt-hour battery, mounted low in the chassis, providing excellent handling and cornering capabilities. The top-power GT trim, expected in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. However, the base EV6 Light model, with a smaller battery and 167 hp motor, was less impressive. The EV6 excelled in delivering power smoothly and efficiently, with multiple regenerative braking settings and a one-pedal driving option. Despite its performance prowess, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The Venza balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance, offering electric-only operation for short distances and various drive modes for different driving conditions. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, while the main charge came from the gas engine. The Venza delivered sprightly performance and agile handling, with a wheelbase shared with the Camry, making it maneuverable. However, its taller body and higher ground clearance were not conducive to aggressive cornering, as the Venza was designed as a midsize family hauler, providing a comfortable and reliable ride.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented several core functions, such as door handles that popped out when approached with the key, 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 EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. 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 rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2022 Toyota Venza provided seating for five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row offered 45.2 inches of hip room, accommodating three adults comfortably. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim. The Venza's interior featured numerous convenience features, such as an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and an electric parking brake. The Venza's cargo capacity was impressive, with 28.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. Toyota focused on creating a quiet cabin, adding sound-blocking and absorbing insulation throughout the vehicle.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick and easy settings adjustments. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and offered live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp and clear, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6 came with a range of standard tech features, including Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, and a wireless charger. Higher trims offered 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 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention, making it ideal for those without access to charging infrastructure. The Venza's hybrid setup was transparent in operation, with a Predicted Efficient Drive program that optimized battery charging based on driving habits. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, while the Limited added a nine-speaker JBL audio system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both multimedia setups included Toyota Connected Services, such as Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. An Advanced Technology Package was available for the Limited trim, featuring a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech, including a driver's knee airbag, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. The GT-Line trim added evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with "machine learning."

The 2022 Toyota Venza boasted the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. It featured eight airbags, three-point seatbelts, and LATCH anchors for child safety seats. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite offered forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.