2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking vehicle, boasting a sporty and sleek 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 farthest corners of the chassis, giving the car a distinctive, hipped 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, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The car's profile was sharp and angular, with a smooth, silken finish, especially in matte silver paint. The interior was equally impressive, featuring dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather. Ambient lighting and futuristic design elements made the EV6 a joy to drive, with a focus on car-first aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, emphasizing clean and simple lines. While it lacked flashy factory options, it exuded understated luxury with its Eiger Gray paint, silver 23-inch wheels, and Black Exterior Pack. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, coupled with aluminum and shiny black trim, created an opulent atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including the SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e, each offering different powertrains and features. Highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights. The interior featured sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, providing a high-tech and luxurious experience.

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. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, the EV6 accelerated to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and handled corners with agility. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 hp and a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds. The EV6's drivetrain efficiently routed torque, providing seamless power delivery. Regenerative braking offered multiple settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal mode. However, the EV6's range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was relatively fast, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SUV accelerated to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and had a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with an average of 22.3 mpg on the evaluation route. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness, and its adaptive damping air suspension provided a comfortable ride. However, it struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from competitors. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with advanced suspension and technology allowing it to tackle challenging terrain with ease.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a 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 cubic feet when folded. Towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with Windsor leather upholstery and 20-way power adjustments. The rear seat offered less legroom and had hard front seatback panels. Cargo space was 31.9 cubic feet, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The power liftgate and air suspension controls facilitated loading, and the full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, but the lane-change feature was inconsistent. The 360-degree cameras and blind-spot monitoring were sharp and clear. Kia Connect features were disabled in Massachusetts due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro system was often confusing and frustrating. The digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the automatic driver exit assist feature was inconvenient. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. Wireless smartphone charging was available but difficult to access.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published test results but offered a comprehensive suite 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.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less smooth and reliable than expected. The SUV also featured Wade Sensing for water crossings and Remote Park Assist.