2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sporty and sleek 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, while the wheels were pushed to the corners, creating a body with pronounced hips. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those on a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. The headlights, with their V-shaped pattern, mirrored the black trim below, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The car's profile was sharp and angular, with a smooth lower section, especially in matte silver paint. The EV6's design was filled with unique features like recessed lights below the rear spoiler and a chrome trim that sparkled, capturing attention with its industrial design.

Inside, the EV6 boasted a futuristic interior with dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather. Ambient lighting circled the rear passengers, and the digital controls, including a hockey-puck shifter, set it apart from basic Kia models. The aesthetic prioritized the car's driving experience, making it enjoyable and engaging.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete makeover, featuring a new exterior design that was both dramatic and attractive. The front showcased a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car look with plenty of chrome. The long hood and steeply-raked windshield added elegance, while the roof appeared to float above the cabin due to blacked-out pillars. The top-of-the-line Autograph trim level enhanced this effect with a contrasting black roof. The rear elevation was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate. However, the top Autograph trim level had a slight misstep with chromed panels at the rear fascia's lower corners, which could be swapped for matte black ones on lower trims.

Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with horizontal lines and layers emphasizing this feeling. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on the seats and dash, adding a touch of luxury. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was well-placed, and the TFT instrument panel provided crisp graphics. The center console's controls were intuitive and easy to master, contributing to the overall high level of craftsmanship and build quality expected from Infiniti vehicles.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. The 77-kilowatt-hour battery, mounted low in the chassis, allowed the 4600-pound car to 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 torque was effectively routed, providing a seamless driving experience, whether on pavement or snow. 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 car accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging stations often fell short of this capability.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous CVT, which significantly improved the driving experience. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, naturally aspirated and direct-injected, produced 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for AWD models. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, provided a smooth and serene ride. While not designed for aggressive cornering, the QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, offering comfort and ample space for passengers in all three rows.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with features like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, with its three-row configuration, provided ample space and comfort for passengers. The front featured a roomy center console with storage and charging ports, while the second-row seats could slide fore and aft to share space with the third row. The Autograph trim level offered twin second-row captain's chairs with a removable center console. The QX60's cargo capacity was impressive, with 14.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

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 Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system was standard, offering features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp, and the higher trims included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 offered impressive technology, with full LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. A WiFi hotspot, multiple USB charge points, and a wireless charging pad were standard on higher trims. The navigation system, Infiniti InTouch services, and a simplified version of Alexa were available. The Autograph trim level featured a color head-up display and a smart rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience. The audio system ranged from a nine-speaker setup in lower trims to a 17-speaker Bose Performance series in higher trims.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech, including a driver's knee airbag, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like evasive steering assist and machine learning for adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous generation received high ratings. The QX60 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, LATCH connectors, and advanced driver assistance systems like forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure, with additional optional features available.