2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a striking and sporty 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 that doubled as a lightbar, and wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis, creating a sense of stability and style. The EV6's headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and its wedgy profile, combined with matte silver paint, added to its sharp and sleek appearance. Inside, the EV6 boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and a mix of suede and leather seats, creating a futuristic and enjoyable driving environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX underwent subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The updates included modifications to the grille surround, bumpers, and wheel designs, with the PMC Edition offering exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup featured various packages, with the A-Spec Advance package providing a high-quality interior, solid build, and quieter cabin. Despite some reservations about the new vertical air inlets, the RDX maintained a stylish flair, making it a compelling choice among compact luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the EV6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience. The EV6's regenerative braking system provided extensive control, with more than eight settings for deceleration, and the I-Pedal setting enabled one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65% of its 274-mile EPA estimate during testing. Charging performance was better, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The RDX's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system provided excellent torque-vectoring capabilities, enhancing its driving dynamics. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, and the adaptive-damping suspension improved ride comfort and responsiveness. Despite its enjoyable driving character, the RDX's fuel economy fell short of its EPA rating, averaging 20.6 mpg during testing. While the RDX excelled in everyday driving situations, it lacked the performance edge of some German competitors.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a rotary shifter. Its interior provided 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. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. The RDX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, while the rear seats lacked support. The cargo area offered 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and included hidden storage compartments.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality features. It included Highway Driving Assist (HDA) and blind-spot monitoring, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The EV6's tech package was comprehensive, with features like 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 Acura RDX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system paired a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller, offering a unique but complex user experience. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Three premium sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers. The RDX also featured a 10.5-inch head-up display in higher trims.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published safety ratings but came equipped with impressive tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like evasive steering assist and machine learning for adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and aimed to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It included a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhanced AcuraWatch features, such as pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. The RDX earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.