2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a strikingly 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 farthest corners, creating a body with pronounced hips. The EV6's voluptuous curves, akin to those on a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. The headlights, with their squinting, V-shaped pattern, mirrored the black trim below, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The car's wedgy profile, with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, combined with a smooth lower body, especially in matte silver paint, made it a standout in terms of design.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder maintained a balance between traditional and forward-thinking design elements. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, it carried over into 2023 with minimal changes, except for the Rock Creek trim. The Pathfinder's futuristic headlights and angular C-pillar contributed to its modern aesthetic, which extended into the cabin with clean lines and a sensible layout. This design approach ensured the Pathfinder remained relevant and easy to live with, offering a practical and visually appealing interior.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD variant, 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 likened to that of a getaway car, with its low-mounted 77-kilowatt-hour battery contributing to its agility. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. However, the base EV6 Light model, with its smaller battery and 167 hp motor, was less recommended. The EV6's regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in its maximum I-Pedal setting. Despite its performance prowess, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate during testing.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, produced 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek variant offered a slight power boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was delivered through a 9-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The Rock Creek model featured off-road enhancements, including a taller suspension and off-road shocks, providing added capability. While the off-road tires contributed to a rougher ride on paved roads, they offered comfort on trails. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, though the new shifter design was noted as potentially distracting. The vehicle's rotary drive mode dial was user-friendly, offering various modes for different driving conditions. The Pathfinder Rock Creek's towing capacity reached up to 6,000 pounds, enhancing its versatility.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. Its climate controls were integrated with the stereo and shortcut controls in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, its cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it offered 45 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, 16.6 cubic feet. The Pathfinder's first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The optional second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous cubbies and compartments for storage. The Rock Creek model's roof racks were practical, capable of holding up to 220 pounds, though snow removal could be challenging.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and offered live blind spot feeds. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6 came with a range of standard tech features, including Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and fast-charging capabilities. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with larger 9-inch screens available on higher trims. While the graphics were considered low-quality, the system was easy to use. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Higher trims added features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, and additional USB ports. While not cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech offerings were practical and sufficient for most needs.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked 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 adaptive cruise control with machine learning.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims included additional features like front parking sensors, a 360-degree monitor, and a head-up display.