2021 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a bold design with its massive corporate grille, complementing its stout and chunky styling. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the Q3's cabin echoed a modern aesthetic, with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen prominently. When the interior debuted in 2019, it was a standout, but by 2021, Volkswagen's similar designs had caught up, making the Q3 feel modern yet less unique.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sportier and more svelte appearance, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its design featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler, wide fenders, and squinting headlights, creating a dynamic and aggressive look. The EV6's interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and ambient lighting, offering a futuristic and spacious feel. The design choices, such as the retractable door handles and unique climate controls, added to its innovative appeal.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q3's handling was nimble, with Audi’s Drive Select offering various modes, including Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road. The base engine had some turbo lag, but overall, the Q3 provided a lively and engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors generating 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was sharp, with quick torque distribution and multiple regenerative braking settings. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, though not as fast as claimed, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space was subpar, the passenger space was generous, with comfortable front seats and ample headroom and legroom in the rear, accommodating up to five passengers comfortably.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles and a rotary shifter. It provided generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, its cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6 also offered a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless charging and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit offered a customizable digital display.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured a 360-degree camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. Standard tech included dual 12-inch screens, fast-charging, and a Meridian stereo on higher trims. However, Kia Connect features were disabled in Massachusetts due to compliance issues.

The 2021 Audi Q3 included standard safety features like Audi Pre Sense, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system.

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