2023 Dodge Durango 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 that doubled as a lightbar, and the wheels were pushed to the far corners of the chassis, creating a sense of stability and style. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those on a Porsche 911, added to its allure, while the squinting headlights and V-shaped pattern on the bumper gave it an aggressive look. The interior was equally impressive, with dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and a mix of suede and leather seats, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles and opting for clean, car-like styling. Its slim design, forward-leaning headlights, and distinctive "racetrack" taillights gave it a unique look. The SRT models featured subtle yet unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels, while the Blacktop and Hemi Orange packages offered additional customization options. Inside, the Durango provided a comfortable and spacious environment, with materials suited to various trim levels and luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a range of powertrains, with the GT-Line e-AWD model delivering 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque from its dual electric motors. This setup allowed the EV6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, with a top-power GT trim promising 576 hp and a sub-3.5-second 0-60 time. The EV6's handling was impressive, with quick torque delivery and a seamless transition between rear and all-wheel drive. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate during testing. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a variety of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT 392's 6.4-liter V8 offered 475 hp and 475 lb-ft. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango Hellcat provided thrilling acceleration and a satisfying driving experience, with adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes ensuring control.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. Its interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it included an onboard power generator for added versatility.

The 2023 Dodge Durango provided flexible seating configurations, with seven-seat or six-seat options available. Interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, offering ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. Cargo space was decent, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a range of connectivity options, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The system included Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect 5 system was responsive and easy to use, with added personality for SRT models. The Performance Pages app provided performance data, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

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

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Marginal" score in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front test. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims, but other features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were only standard on the Citadel.