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 visually enhanced its appeal. Its design featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, and wheels pushed to the corners, giving it a dynamic presence. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those of a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. The headlights, with their V-shaped pattern, and the sealed air intake-like trim on the bumper, contributed to its aggressive look. The wedgy profile, with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, combined with a smooth lower body, especially in matte silver paint, made the EV6 a visual delight.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX had subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The updates included modifications to the grille surround, front and rear bumper styling, and new wheel designs and paint colours. The limited-production PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup offered various trims, with the A-Spec Platinum Elite package providing high-quality interior materials and a quieter cabin. Despite some reservations about the new vertical air inlets, the RDX maintained a stylish flair, making it more appealing than many of its competitors.

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 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience. The EV6's torque delivery was seamless, and its regenerative braking system provided extensive control with multiple settings. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its estimated range. Charging performance was commendable, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, but real-world charging times fell short of Kia's claims.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine's quick spool-up contributed to the RDX's enjoyable driving character. The 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters provided smooth shifts, while the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhanced cornering performance. The RDX's revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, and the adaptive-damping suspension improved ride comfort and responsiveness. The RDX's quieter cabin and refined driving dynamics made it a compelling choice, though it lacked the thrill of some German competitors.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a rotary shifter. Its interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, but the cargo space was limited, with 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 added utility.

The 2022 Acura RDX provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. 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 835 litres of space, expandable to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with connectivity options, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The EV6 featured advanced tech like a 360-degree camera system, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. The GT-Line Package 2 included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and remote parking assist.

The 2022 Acura RDX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) required acclimation, with a touchpad corresponding to the display screen. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The RDX offered three premium sound systems, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system featuring 16 speakers.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published safety test results but offered impressive standard safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The RDX featured a rear seatbelt reminder system and the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assist systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating.