2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its more ostentatious competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, such as the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The restyled grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels contributed to its sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and advanced technology. However, the presence of hard plastics in the lower cabin areas reminded occupants of its mass-market roots. Despite this, the Tiguan maintained its appeal with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, along with keyless entry and remote engine starting in higher trims.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, embraced a sportier and more futuristic aesthetic. Its design was reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a lower and wider stance that exuded confidence. The EV6's exterior featured voluptuous curves, a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, and sleek headlights that added to its aggressive look. Inside, the EV6 offered a modern cabin with dual 12-inch screens, a floating centre console, and ambient lighting. The interior was both stylish and functional, with suede and leather seats and a hockey-puck shifter. The EV6's design was a testament to Kia's commitment to innovation and style, making it a standout in the electric vehicle market.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD system, which could distribute up to half of the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Offroad settings. Despite its capabilities, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was modest, with a combined rating of 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The Tiguan's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but it lacked the excitement sought by performance enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 delivered impressive performance with its GT-Line e-AWD model, featuring dual electric motors that generated 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the EV6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was agile, with torque distributed effectively between the front and rear motors. The regenerative braking system offered multiple settings, including a one-pedal driving mode. However, the EV6's driving range was affected by cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its estimated range in winter conditions. Charging was efficient, with the EV6 capable of accepting up to 240 kW, though real-world charging times varied.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though cargo space was limited with it in use. The two-row configuration provided ample luggage volume, making it suitable for families. The Tiguan's interior featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging for some users.

The 2022 Kia EV6 redefined interior space with its low floor, providing generous legroom and headroom. The rear seats reclined and offered optional heated cushions, creating a comfortable environment. However, the cargo space was limited, with only 690 litres available behind the seats. The EV6's innovative features included pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a rotary shifter. The climate and stereo controls were combined in a touchscreen, which could be confusing while driving. The EV6 also offered a towing capacity of 1,043 kilograms and an onboard power generator for added versatility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a more advanced Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a premium Fender audio system. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, prompting users to rely on smartphone integration. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with connectivity options, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and surrounding vehicles. The 360-degree cameras provided clear visuals, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The GT-Line Package 2 included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking assist system. Overall, the EV6's technology was impressive without being overwhelming.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard safety features, including Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, though its touch controls could be challenging to engage. Emergency Assist was another notable feature, capable of bringing the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's enhancements aimed to improve this score.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published safety ratings but offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard equipment included forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 360-degree cameras. The EV6's safety technology was advanced, providing peace of mind for drivers.