2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sporty and sleek design reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a lower and wider stance that gave it a visually appealing presence. Its design featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, and wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis, creating a body with pronounced hips. The EV6's headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp appearance. The interior boasted 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 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained a more traditional SUV appearance, with subtle differences between the standard RX 350 and the RX 350h hybrid. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with fewer controls and a new infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury model featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The RX's design focused on comfort and luxury, with a clean and contemporary approach.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered impressive performance with 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, thanks to its 77-kilowatt-hour battery and dual electric motors. The EV6's handling was sharp, with torque distributed effectively between the front and rear motors. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in its 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 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a different performance experience. The RX 350h produced 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and Direct4 AWD system, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Despite its power, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 350h, however, provided a more efficient and comfortable driving experience, averaging 32 mpg.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a spacious interior with generous legroom and headroom, thanks to its low floor design. The rear seats reclined and featured air vents and optional heated cushions, creating an open and airy space. 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 featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with its ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat resulted in excellent leg support but limited rear headroom. The cargo space was improved, offering 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, matching the standard RX 350.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with dual 12-inch screens, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation, and higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface included Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had some drawbacks, such as limited screen menu views and reflections. The head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads was also challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and front and rear cross-traffic alert. The GT-Line trim added evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning. However, there were no published test results from safety organizations.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The Proactive Driving Assist technology was well-received, but some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these were not tested.