2023 Dodge Hornet 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 appeared lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the corners of the chassis, giving the body a curvaceous, hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was accentuated by an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The matte silver paint added a smooth and silken finish to the overall look.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a front end that clearly displayed Dodge's muscle-car DNA, with a wide, aggressive "raccoon mask" face, bulging hood, and dual extractors. The rear end bore a resemblance to a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, with upward-pointing windows. The Hornet's design choices leaned towards a more premium feel, influenced by its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots. The standard silver 17-inch wheels were a point of contention, appearing cheap from afar, though the design had its merits. The Hornet offered a range of vibrant exterior colors, continuing Dodge's tradition of "High Impact Paint."

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD variant, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, with a top-power GT trim promising 576 hp and a sub-3.5-second 0-60 time. The EV6's handling was sharp, with torque distributed effectively, and it offered a range of regenerative braking settings 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, though not as fast as Kia's claims.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted "best-in-class performance" with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It outperformed many competitors, with a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds in Sport mode. The Hornet's acceleration was responsive at lower speeds, though there was a noticeable lag at higher speeds. The hybrid powertrain in the Hornet R/T improved pickup pace. The Hornet's performance was complemented by its distinctive engine sound, adding to its appeal.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. Its interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 when folded. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim offered comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The cockpit layout was driver-oriented, with a screen positioning favoring the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design occasionally obstructed the view. The Hornet's interior was practical, with heated and ventilated seats available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a 360-degree surround-view camera. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation, and the tech features were mostly standard across trims. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to legal compliance issues.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system and navigation. The tech was well-integrated, with easy access to advanced features.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a range of safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like evasive steering assist and machine learning for adaptive cruise control. However, there were no published safety ratings from U.S. agencies.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet offered standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Tech Pack added advanced features like a 360-degree camera and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by major safety organizations.