2022 Kia EV6 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's lineup of luxury SUVs. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, ensuring it stood out as a member of the BMW family. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-color matched trim and unique styling elements. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for its abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered a more aggressive interior design with exclusive features like an M sports steering wheel and unique trim strips.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, was a bold departure from traditional designs, offering a sportier and more svelte appearance reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its design was characterized by a low and wide stance, with voluptuous curves and a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The EV6's headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was accentuated by an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior was equally futuristic, with dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. The EV6's design was not just about aesthetics; it also offered practical features like a hidden rear charge port and flush door handles. The interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though the cargo space was limited compared to its competitors.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i was equipped with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of up to 30 miles. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were criticized for being less engaging than other BMW models, with a Lincoln-like driving experience. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2022 Kia EV6, tested in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, the EV6 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6's performance was impressive, with quick torque delivery and agile handling. 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 its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 capable of accepting up to 240 kW, though real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal for most buyers. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though the cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The high load floor and low roof height contributed to this limitation. The EV6's climate controls were integrated with the stereo and shortcut controls in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 also featured an onboard power generator, allowing it to run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was complemented by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was straightforward and user-friendly, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and offered a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp and clear, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6's tech features were impressive, with standard equipment including Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, and a wireless charger. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping, particularly in sunny or rainy conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and machine learning for adaptive cruise control.