2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking vehicle, exuding a sporty and svelte design reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. It appeared lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a distinct, hipped appearance. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those on a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. Its headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, mirroring the black trim below the bumper, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The EV6's profile was sharp and angular, with a smooth, silken finish, especially in matte silver paint.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos was positioned as a compact SUV with a simple yet detailed design. It came in Trendline, Comfortline, or Highline trims, with a choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Taos featured handsome 19-inch machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, adding to its vibrant personality. It sported roof rails, dark grey plastic cladding, and simulated skid plates, fitting right into the SUV lineup. However, the interior was dominated by hard plastics, which some found reminiscent of children's toys. Despite this, the Highline trim offered two-tone perforated leather with contrast stitching, adding a touch of luxury.

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a powerhouse, especially in the GT-Line e-AWD variant, which boasted two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77.4 kWh battery, it accelerated to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and handled corners with agility. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 hp. The EV6's regenerative braking offered over eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, its range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65% of Kia's 441-kilometre estimate. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, though real-world charging stations often delivered less.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine's robust torque made the Taos feel powerful, but turbo lag and erratic shifting from the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission could be frustrating. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission offered smoother driving but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Taos excelled in road feel, steering, and handling, especially in Sport mode. However, its ground clearance was less than competitors like the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek. Fuel efficiency was decent, with an average of 8.7 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. Its interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though cargo space was limited to 690 litres behind the seats. The EV6's towing capacity was 1,043 kilograms, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a roomy cabin, with deeply bolstered front seats offering plenty of adjustment options. The rear seat was spacious, with ample legroom and a comfortable cushion. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with up to 790 litres available in front-wheel-drive models. The Taos also featured a centre pass-through, ideal for ski trips.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured a 360-degree camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. The GT-Line Package 2 included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and remote parking assist.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and wireless charging. However, the voice-recognition technology was lacking, and the user experience could be cumbersome. The Highline trim included a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published safety test results but offered impressive tech, including forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos required higher trims for popular safety features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot warning. The Highline trim offered advanced features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, though reverse automatic braking could be overly sensitive.