2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was designed with a sporty and svelte aesthetic, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a lower and wider stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the car a hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of 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 faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 had a more subtle design update with gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. The new wheel designs and colors, along with a light-up rear VW logo, added a touch of modernity. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, offered a minimalist interior design with a focus on quality. The base model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts, and the higher trims provided a more refined experience. The ID.4's design aimed to balance practicality with a touch of sophistication, making it a comfortable and spacious option for EV buyers.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, thanks to its 77-kilowatt-hour battery. The top-power GT trim, expected in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller 58 kWh battery and a single motor producing 167 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The EV6's performance was impressive, with quick torque delivery and seamless power distribution, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. However, its driving range in cold weather was disappointing, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, while the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version provided hot hatchback-like acceleration but lacked the handling finesse. Its regenerative braking system allowed for coasting and a more familiar driving experience, though it didn't offer one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a 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 to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet when folded. The ID.4's towing capacity was 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made functional improvements to the interior for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone spot, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

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 featured 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 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.4's user interface included haptic touchpads, which could be distracting, but the voice recognition system mitigated this issue. The ID.Light feature provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies 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 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS for the 2022 model. It came with standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, automated lane-change for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.