2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. This gave the vehicle a striking front appearance, while maintaining a balanced and appealing design from the front wheels to the rear bumper. The Outlander was available in several trim levels, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The SEL trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic glass sunroof, creating an upscale ambiance. Despite some interior plastics that hinted at its compact crossover SUV status, Mitsubishi managed to avoid using obviously inexpensive materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 was noted for its sporty and svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a lower and wider stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The EV6's design was accentuated by voluptuous curves and a wedgy profile, giving it a blade-sharp appearance. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. The EV6's design was both wild and aesthetically pleasing, with a focus on being a car first and a computer second, making it an enjoyable vehicle to drive.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that powered the front wheels, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite offering various driving modes, the Outlander's performance was underwhelming, especially at higher speeds or when attempting to accelerate quickly. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, leading to a brittle ride on anything but smooth pavement. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, offered a more exhilarating performance. The GT-Line e-AWD model featured two electric motors, delivering 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, with a top-power GT trim promising even more power. The EV6's torque was effectively routed, providing a seamless driving experience. It offered multiple regenerative braking settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was efficient, but the charging infrastructure in certain areas limited its potential.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive displays. The rear seat offered generous space, and the third-row seat, though cramped, provided additional seating options. Cargo capacity was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down increased the available space. However, the center console lacked storage, and the third-row seat was not ideal for adults.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with innovative features like 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 only 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for added versatility.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The vehicle also included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with connectivity options and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HUD used augmented reality for navigation, and the vehicle offered a range of standard tech features, including HDA, blind-spot monitoring, and fast-charging capabilities. 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 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. It included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

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