2023 Land Rover Defender 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 wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis, giving it a dynamic stance. The highback tail featured a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar, and the voluptuous curves of the body added both style and stability. The headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile, especially in matte silver paint, gave it a blade-sharp 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 yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Defender embraced a classic, boxy design that harkened back to the original 1980s Defender. Its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, along with the chopped tail, defined its rugged appearance. Tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel mounted on the hatch paid homage to its heritage. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering versatility in seating and cargo configurations. Inside, the focus was on function and durability, with rubber and plastic materials designed to resist stains and moisture, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered impressive performance, particularly 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 4600-pound car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was sharp, with torque routed quickly and effectively, providing a seamless driving experience. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate during testing.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with its permanent four-wheel drive and Terrain Response 2 system adapting the vehicle's powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. On-road, the Defender's performance was less refined, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The V8 engine, producing 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, provided impressive acceleration, but the Defender's top-heavy nature made it feel unwieldy. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid powertrain, offered a balance of performance and efficiency, while the four-cylinder engine was best suited for local driving.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as door handles that popped out when approached with the key 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 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 versatility.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender provided exceptional versatility with its seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the 130 model. The Defender 90 offered a unique jump seat option, allowing three across in the front. The interior featured large glass areas for excellent visibility and optional panoramic and rear moonroofs. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the third row and second row folded. The Defender also offered a range of accessories, such as a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality features. The system included Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system, available with either a 10-inch or 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. Higher trims offered additional features such as a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and configurable ambient lighting. The Defender's technology package was comprehensive, with options for a digital instrument panel and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but it came equipped with a range of safety features, including lane-keeping assist, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like evasive steering assist and machine learning for adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Defender also offered a 360-degree camera system and automatic steering when reversing a trailer.