2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a strikingly sporty and sleek design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its lower and wider stance gave it a visually appealing presence, enhanced by a highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners of the chassis, creating a body with pronounced hips, similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights, with their squinting, V-shaped pattern, added to the aggressive look, while the sealed air intake mimics on the bumper maintained a smooth, aerodynamic profile. The EV6's interior was equally impressive, featuring dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and a mix of suede and leather seats, all contributing to a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe exhibited a more conservative exterior design, maintaining the same look as its 2022 predecessor. Despite its understated appearance, the Santa Fe was an attractive SUV, with its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights providing a distinctive touch. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in a Stormy Sea paint, offered a luxurious black-on-black interior with Nappa leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, and a spacious cabin. The Santa Fe's interior was dark and monotone, but the option for a beige or gray interior provided a more visually pleasing contrast. The Santa Fe's design choices emphasized comfort and practicality over bold aesthetics.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered an exhilarating performance with its dual 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, offering a thrilling driving experience. The EV6's handling was impressive, with torque distributed effectively between the front and rear motors, ensuring smooth power delivery in various driving conditions. However, the EV6's range was a concern, especially in cold weather, where it fell short of its 274-mile EPA estimate, achieving only 65% of that range in real-world testing. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 capable of accepting up to 240 kW, though real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, provided brisk acceleration and smooth power delivery, with no noticeable turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and the dual-clutch transmission performed without the clunkiness often associated with such systems. While the Santa Fe wasn't designed for off-road adventures, it offered a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a rotary shifter, but its most unique feature was the dual-function touchscreen for climate and stereo controls. While this was visually impressive, it could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 provided generous legroom and headroom, with a spacious rear cabin, but its cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats, expanding to 50 cubic feet with the seats folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it offered an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized space and comfort, with no third row, allowing for ample rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and a competitive 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the seats expanded the cargo area to 72.1 cubic feet, with additional underfloor storage. The Santa Fe's interior comfort was enhanced by features like an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the wide center console could encroach on driver leg space, and the driver's seat height adjustment could push the driver uncomfortably close to the steering wheel.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display featuring augmented reality. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The EV6's Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system offered advanced features like lane-change assistance, though it was not always reliable. The 360-degree cameras and customizable "engine" sounds added to the tech-savvy experience, but Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to legal compliance issues.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, with clear graphics and extensive customization options. The Santa Fe's voice-recognition system performed well for navigation tasks but struggled with music and climate control commands. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the in-car entertainment experience.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping assist, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked published safety ratings from U.S. agencies. The EV6's advanced driver assistance systems, such as evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning, provided additional safety and convenience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an impressive array of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received top safety ratings, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The Santa Fe's safety systems, such as the safe-exit warning and rear-seat reminder, added peace of mind for drivers and passengers.