2021 Honda Pilot vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance style with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. Available in five trims in Canada, the Pilot offered standard all-wheel drive and a price range from $42,905 to $56,805. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, was priced at $58,806 with a destination charge. While the interior boasted quality materials, the design felt more akin to a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sportier and more svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its lower and wider stance, voluptuous curves, and aggressive headlights contributed to its striking appearance. The EV6's design was both stylish and functional, with features like a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar and flush door handles. The interior was equally impressive, featuring dual 12-inch screens, a floating centre console, and ambient lighting. The EV6's design was a testament to the importance of industrial design in modern vehicles, capturing attention with its innovative features and aesthetic appeal.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Its nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system provided a smooth and refined driving experience. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 10.9 L/100 km. The SUV's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, although its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, boasted 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque from its dual electric motors. With a 77.4 kWh battery, it accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and handled like a performance vehicle. The EV6's regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of Kia's 441-kilometre estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging times were longer than Kia's claims.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a bench second-row seat. The Black Edition featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, with second-row captain’s chairs offering similar comfort. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults, but the Pilot excelled in storage, with numerous compartments and a generous cargo capacity of up to 3,092 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles and a dual-function touchscreen for climate and stereo controls. Its low floor provided generous legroom and headroom, although cargo space was limited to 690 litres behind the seats and 1,322 litres when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 1,043 kilograms, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a navigation system, wireless phone charging, and a rear-seat entertainment system. While adequate, the system lacked some modern features and required specific prompts for voice recognition.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with connectivity options and a 360-degree camera system. It featured a head-up display with augmented reality, a 14-speaker Meridian stereo, and a remote parking assist system. The tech was impressive without being overwhelming, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. While effective, the system was not the most refined. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published test results but offered impressive safety features, including forward collision avoidance and lane keep assist. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring and 360 cameras, enhancing safety.