2022 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. It featured a higher ride height with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. The interior was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and heated seats. The Outback Wilderness was positioned between the Onyx XT and Limited XT in terms of pricing, offering a blend of off-road capability and distinctive styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 showcased a sporty and sleek design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had a low and wide stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The EV6's design was characterized by its voluptuous curves, squinting headlights, and a wedgy profile. Inside, the EV6 featured a futuristic interior with dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and ambient lighting. The design emphasized a car-first, computer-second approach, making it an enjoyable vehicle to drive.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 24 mpg in combined driving. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system. However, its continuously variable transmission (CVT) detracted from the driving experience on pavement, with its characteristic droning and soft gear changes.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience. The EV6's regenerative braking system provided more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. The EV6 excelled in charging capabilities, accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging times were longer than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a practical interior with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, while the rear seat provided generous space for passengers. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a spacious interior with generous legroom and headroom, thanks to its low floor. The rear seats reclined and had air vents with 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 innovative features included pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The onboard power generator allowed for running 120-volt equipment or charging another EV.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, the voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts for effective use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims, but it featured a PIN code entry system for convenience.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. The system included Highway Driving Assist (HDA), blind-spot monitoring, and fast-charging capabilities. The EV6's tech features were impressive, with a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

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. The GT-Line trim added evasive steering assist and machine learning to the adaptive cruise control. The EV6's safety tech was impressive, with features like blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree cameras.