2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 had a sporty and svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was 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 hipped appearance similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp look. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained the design introduced in 2019, especially in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured a two-part face. The Adventure trim had a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and faux skid plates, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents, contrast stitching, and a relatively basic center console. The RAV4 offered a frameless rearview mirror and various trim levels with different upholstery options, culminating in heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats in higher trims. The interior was practical, with ample storage options and a rugged feel.

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 from 0 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 single motor with 167 hp. The dual-motor GT-Line offered impressive torque distribution and handling, with multiple regenerative braking settings and a quick drive mode selection. However, its driving range in cold weather was disappointing, achieving only 65% of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds varied.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly exciting, it offered a reliable and unobjectionable performance. The Adventure trim had 19-inch wheels with all-season tires, while the TRD Off-Road trim featured 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension. The RAV4's performance was more about practicality and reliability than excitement, with the TRD Off-Road trim offering better off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements 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 cubic feet when folded. Towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five and offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back seats with the moonroof. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row. The RAV4 provided ample storage options, including a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

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 displayed surrounding vehicles and a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. Higher trims included 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 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with voice command and OTA updates. The Adventure trim featured an upgraded multimedia system with an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on higher trims.

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 more. Higher trims added features like evasive steering assist and machine learning for adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring was available on the base model and standard on higher trims. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.