2022 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking blend of sportiness and elegance, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its design was lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners, giving the body a curvaceous, hip-like appearance similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was accentuated by an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior was futuristic, with dual 12-inch screens, a floating centre console, and ambient lighting that created a sci-fi atmosphere. The EV6 was a car that prioritized style and driving enjoyment.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco was celebrated for its retro styling and rugged, go-anywhere attitude. It offered a deep lineup of trims, including the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, designed for extreme off-road conditions. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with features like large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate. Inside, it continued the utilitarian theme with marine-grade vinyl upholstery, sealed switches, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including G.O.A.T. modes and a digital instrument panel, making it a versatile choice for both off-road adventures and daily driving.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a range of powertrains, with the GT-Line e-AWD model delivering 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, thanks to its 77.4 kWh battery. The EV6's performance was impressive, with quick torque delivery and seamless power distribution. It featured multiple regenerative braking settings, allowing for one-pedal driving, and a highly efficient heat pump for cold weather. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold temperatures, achieving only 65% of Kia's estimated range. Charging was efficient, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, but real-world charging times fell short of Kia's claims.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 2.7-litre V6 with 330 horsepower. Both engines provided ample power for off-road adventures, with the V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Bronco excelled in off-road conditions, with features like a seven-speed manual transmission with a crawl gear, four-wheel drive, and an electronic two-speed transfer case. It tackled challenging terrain with ease, including deep water crossings and steep rock climbs. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a comfortable choice for long road trips.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. Its interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and air vents. However, its 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 included an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, with ample headroom and legroom for all passengers. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the two-door hard top offering up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, such as netted door pockets and accessory rails, and offered stowable doors for added convenience.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with features like a 360-degree camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and a head-up display with augmented reality. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but offered a remote parking assist system on higher trims.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. modes and a forward-looking trail camera. The Sync 4 infotainment system provided quick responses and sharp graphics, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The Bronco's technology was designed to keep drivers engaged while offering helpful off-road apps.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with standard safety features like forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims offered blind spot monitoring and 360 cameras. However, it had no published test results from safety organizations.

The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features such as hill-start assist and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received favourable ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with four-out-of-five stars for frontal crash protection and three-out-of-five stars for rollover protection.