2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was designed with a sporty and sleek aesthetic, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a lower and wider stance, visually enhanced by its highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a curvaceous, hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive squint, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim below the bumper. The EV6's profile was sharp and angular, with a smooth lower body, especially in the matte silver paint of the test car. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer King Ranch model, while luxurious, did not visually stand out from other Explorer trims. It featured King Ranch emblems, shiny 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The Explorer's design was based on a rear-drive platform, allowing for a long hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline, giving it an athletic appearance. The interior of the King Ranch was adorned with exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. Despite its high price point, the cabin exhibited a mix of quality and less impressive materials, occasionally reminding occupants of the Explorer's base trim.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD was equipped with two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, allowing the 4600-pound car to accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's performance was further enhanced by its ability to corner like a getaway car, with torque routed quickly and effectively. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains, with the King Ranch model featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered a towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds. The King Ranch's official fuel economy rating was 20 mpg, and it averaged 20.6 mpg during testing. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling off-road terrain with ease despite its 7.9 inches of ground clearance. For daily driving, the Explorer King Ranch provided an athletic feel, with the sport-tuned Explorer ST offering even more engaging performance.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as door handles that popped out when approached with the key and a rotary shifter that returned to center. The climate and stereo controls were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, its cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families of four, with the King Ranch model offering triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and massaging front seats. The second-row seats were nearly as comfortable, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult for adults to access. The Explorer's cabin lacked practical storage solutions, with limited pockets, shelves, and cubbies. The King Ranch model featured a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EV6 featured Highway Driving Assist (HDA) with lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the Meridian stereo system provided excellent sound quality. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with the King Ranch model featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen, FordPass Connect, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Sync 3 system's voice recognition was outdated, struggling with navigation and music requests. The King Ranch also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, but the Explorer's technology felt dated compared to newer Sync 4 systems.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GT-Line added evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise with "machine learning."

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with standard Ford Co-Pilot360 features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Explorer also offered Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. However, the system occasionally lacked steering wheel sensitivity and could brake too much in moderate traffic.