2022 Kia EV6 vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2022 Kia EV6 had a sporty and svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was visually lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the car a hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in anger, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim below the bumper. The wedgy profile looked sharp with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, while the matte silver paint added a smooth and silken finish.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider than the previous model, giving it a more muscular stance. The classic D-pillar taillights were updated to feature three L shapes for a modern look. The rear end appeared blockier, mimicking the bold front fascia, and all headlights and taillights were LED. The Sport Touring trim in deep Canyon River Blue featured black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels, adding to its sporty aesthetic.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its two electric motors, produced 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It had a 77-kilowatt-hour battery and could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and a 167 hp motor, which was not recommended. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered 225 hp. The EV6 excelled in torque distribution, especially in Sport mode, and had 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 car accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower than Kia's claims.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. It was the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 115 mph and a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs. The CR-V Hybrid featured four drive modes: Snow, Sport, Normal, and Econ, with Snow mode utilizing the updated Real Time AWD system. A new "B" shifter position increased regenerative braking, approximating a one-pedal driving experience. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) CR-V Hybrid achieved 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined, making it more fuel-efficient than its AWD counterpart and turbocharged models.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative functions like pop-out door handles, 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 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 RWD models had a small front trunk, while the AWD models did not. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 with them folded. This was comparable to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and more than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Sport Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, and the reclining rear seats offered eight positions. The cubby ahead of the shifter could hold two smartphones, and the console provided best-in-class storage.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens, but lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel showed live feeds of blind spots and had a 3D bar graph for power and speed. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs, while the Sport Touring trim had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob. Both Hybrid models had multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system. The smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came equipped with impressive safety tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New safety features included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, low-speed braking control, and a blind-spot information system. The CR-V Hybrid also had a rear-seat reminder, rear seatbelt reminder, and a stiffer structure for additional protection.