2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a striking and sporty 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, and 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 sleek, with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, complemented by a smooth lower body in matte silver paint. 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 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as futuristic as some competitors, maintained an attractive crossover design with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The gold Bowtie emblem varied in appeal depending on the paint color, with Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic being particularly complementary. The Equinox was available in four trim levels, each offering either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Its profile, with a thick C-pillar and large windows, suggested spaciousness, which was confirmed by the interior. The Premier trim featured two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite a somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and plastic buttons, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and ample storage space.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the 4600-pound vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was agile, with torque distributed effectively between the motors, providing a seamless driving experience. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in its maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for city driving, the Equinox struggled with acceleration at higher speeds, taking about eight seconds to reach highway speeds. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older, provided a straightforward driving experience. The Equinox's AWD system required manual engagement, but the electronically assisted brake-by-wire system and well-sorted suspension contributed to a smooth and enjoyable ride. Despite its modest power, the Equinox handled well for a compact crossover, with tight and accurate steering.

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

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not the largest in its class, the Equinox provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, plenty of storage options, and a nearly silent power liftgate on the Premier trim.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a 360-degree camera system. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation, and the car came with a range of standard tech features, including adaptive cruise control and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology was straightforward, with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch screen on the Premier trim. The system was easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons. All trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Premier trim included a wireless charging pad. The driver-information display, while simple, provided useful features.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it had no published test results from U.S. safety organizations. The GT-Line trim added advanced features like evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests, with a Poor rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and a Marginal score in the side-impact test.