2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Hyundai Kona presented a unique blend of mild and wild styling, particularly appealing to younger buyers. Its front end was characterized by a busy arrangement of lighting features, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on some trims. This playful design contrasted with the more subdued rear, which adopted a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained its fun attitude with neat seat patterns and a well-organized interior. The infotainment system was mounted high on the dash, complemented by intuitive physical climate controls, making the compact interior both simple and user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 was a sportier and more svelte vehicle, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its design was lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the corners, giving the body a curvaceous, stable stance akin to a Porsche 911. The EV6's headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was accentuated by an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating centre console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and futuristic design elements, like the hockey-puck shifter, added to its appeal, making the EV6 a car that prioritized style and driving enjoyment.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivered 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, with all-wheel drive available, while higher trims came with AWD as standard. Despite not being overly powerful, both engines provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly confident, offering agility and engagement, with fuel consumption ratings of 8.6/7.0/7.9 L/100 km for FWD and 9.2/7.8/8.6 L/100 km for AWD with the base engine.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in the GT-Line e-AWD configuration, was a powerhouse with two electric motors generating 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated 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 dual-motor setup provided seamless torque distribution, enhancing its performance in various conditions. Regenerative braking offered over eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's range was affected by cold weather, with real-world efficiency falling short of Kia's estimates. Charging capabilities were impressive, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, though real-world charging times varied based on station availability and conditions.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays easily accessible. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good headroom, though legroom was limited. The Kona's cargo space was modest, with rear seats that folded to expand the area. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious centre console.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, thanks to its low floor. The rear seats reclined and featured air vents and optional heated cushions, creating an open and airy space. However, the cargo hold was limited, with 690 litres behind the seats and 1,322 litres when folded. The high load floor and low roof height restricted cargo capacity, and the front trunk was only available on RWD models. Towing capacity was rated at 1,043 kilograms, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered SiriusXM radio, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment software was user-friendly, with a colourful and responsive interface, though the larger touchscreen did not support wireless smartphone connectivity.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured a simple and quick infotainment system, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The 360-degree cameras provided sharp and clear visuals, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The highest trim included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking assist system, offering impressive but not overwhelming technology.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and cruise control. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and parking sensors.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but offered impressive safety tech, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims featured blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 360 cameras.