2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 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 farthest corners of the chassis, 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 and silken lower body, especially in the matte silver paint of the test car. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic and enjoyable driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a more conservative yet gracefully aging design. Offered in various trims, including the sporty SEL R-Line, the Tiguan featured a range of exterior colors and wheel designs, though choices were limited by trim level. The SEL R-Line trim, with its Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Gray leather interior, exuded a sense of upscale quality. The Tiguan's design included adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille, enhancing its appearance. Inside, the cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite some materials reminding of its base price, the Tiguan's construction felt solid and well-assembled.

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 car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was sharp, with torque routed effectively, providing a seamless driving experience. 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 car accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging stations often delivered lower power outputs.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, offered a different driving experience. The Tiguan's eight-speed automatic transmission and available 4Motion all-wheel-drive system provided versatility with various driving modes. The Tiguan's powertrain, while not the most powerful, delivered adequate performance for everyday driving. The ride quality was compliant, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. However, the Tiguan's powertrain exhibited some quirks, such as turbo lag and delayed downshifts, which could affect the driving experience. Despite these issues, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, offering a good balance of ride comfort and handling.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior 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 EV6's towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it included an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with a roomy interior and large rear door openings. The SEL R-Line trim offered comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard, however, had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that could be distracting. The Tiguan's cargo area was spacious, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet behind the front seats in AWD models. The hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added convenience.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a range of connectivity options. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The EV6 featured advanced tech, including a head-up display with augmented reality, 360-degree cameras, and a remote parking system. Some features, like Kia Connect, were disabled in Massachusetts due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system, and Car-Net connected services. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was also limited, affecting usability.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published test results but came equipped with impressive 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 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency assist. However, the Tiguan's crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.