2022 Kia EV6 vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

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 short highback tail featured a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, and the wheels were pushed to the far corners of the chassis, creating a sense of stability and style. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those on a Porsche 911, added to its allure, while the squinting headlights and sealed air intake mimicking trim contributed to its aggressive look. The interior was equally impressive, with dual 12-inch screens, a floating centre console, and a mix of suede and leather seats, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size and distinct styling elements. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright or darkened exterior trims. Inside, the Escalade boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, although it lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite its size, the Escalade's interior materials included some cheap-looking plastic bits, which detracted from its overall luxury appeal.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered an exhilarating 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 handling was impressive, with torque routed quickly and effectively, providing a seamless power delivery. The regenerative braking system offered multiple settings, allowing for one-pedal driving, while the drive modes could be easily adjusted on the fly. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the battery's capacity significantly reduced, affecting its overall efficiency.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices, with the standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The optional Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it an asset for city driving. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly higher with the gasoline engine, but its ride quality was less than luxurious, with a body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to an unsettled ride. The Escalade lacked the off-road capability of its GM cousins, making it less suitable for adventurous outings.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter, but its climate and stereo controls shared a touchscreen, which could be frustrating while driving. The EV6 provided generous legroom and headroom, creating an airy and open space for passengers. However, its cargo space was limited, with a high load floor and low roof height, offering only 690 litres behind the seats and 1,322 litres when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was rated at 1,043 kilograms, and it featured an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a cavernous cabin with ample legroom in the first and third rows. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console provided limited storage space, and the seats, while adjustable, felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. Cadillac did include dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing the overall comfort.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured a user-friendly infotainment system, although it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a 360-degree surround-view camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. The highest trim offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking assist system, providing a comprehensive tech package without overwhelming the driver.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens that blended seamlessly into the dashboard. The touchscreen's icons were arranged to fit its shape, and physical toggles were retained for climate control. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the vehicle offered advanced features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a range of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims offered blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 360 cameras, although no safety ratings were available from U.S. agencies.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assistance technology, such as cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. However, no safety ratings were published for the Escalade by the IIHS or NHTSA.