2021 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Toyota Venza, when it was revealed, was noted for its resemblance to a Lexus, with critics highlighting its grille and elongated profile that blurred the lines between the two brands. The Venza's design was reminiscent of the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept shown at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. Available in three trim levels—LE, XLE, and Limited—the Venza offered a choice of seven paint colors, though not all were available across all trims. Standard features included dual chrome-tipped exhaust, LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, puddle lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The base LE model came with a wireless charging pad, 4.2-inch driver’s information display, leather-trimmed steering wheel, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, fabric-trimmed seats, and an 8-inch infotainment touch screen, among other amenities. The XLE trim added black bumper garnishes, silver roof rails, 19-inch alloy wheels, and more, while the Limited trim featured a digital rearview mirror, illuminated footwells, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, with the option to add the Star Gaze panoramic roof.

The 2022 Kia EV6, in contrast, was sportier and more svelte, drawing comparisons to the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was visually lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of 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 on a linear dash, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting flowed around the dash and rear passengers, and the car featured a hockey-puck shifter and digital controls. The EV6's design was car-first, computer-second, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack, powering electric motors that assisted the gasoline engine. This setup, combined with an electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (eCVT), delivered 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful in its class, the Venza's acceleration was smooth and appropriate for its target driver. The Venza's handling was confident, and it drove like a typical Toyota, which was a positive attribute. The Venza excelled in fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined, outperforming competitors like the Murano, Passport, and Blazer. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile Hybrid System warranty.

The 2022 Kia EV6, tested in its most powerful GT-Line e-AWD configuration, featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, the EV6 could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, expected in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and less power, which was not recommended. The dual-motor GT-Line offered impressive torque distribution and handling, with multiple regenerative braking settings and a one-pedal driving option. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging performance varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Toyota Venza was practical and well-appointed for its price point. The interior featured premium materials, with a unique cabin design that differed from typical Toyota and Lexus models. The center stack included piano black capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, subtle vents, and an infotainment touch screen. The deep center console housed various controls and storage options. The Venza's seating was comfortable for both front and rear passengers, with more headroom and slightly less legroom compared to the RAV4. Cargo space was around 60 percent of the RAV4's, with a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet, which was sufficient for daily use but less than some competitors.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with features like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 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 high load floor and low roof height reduced practicality, and the front trunk space was minimal on AWD models. Towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE and XLE trims, while the Limited trim had a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, but was not the most user-friendly. The larger screen allowed for multiple sections of information but required multiple menu trips for certain functions. A nine-speaker JBL premium audio system was available on the XLE and standard on the Limited. Toyota connected services included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, and a 10-year trial of Service Connect. Dynamic navigation was available on models with the larger screen.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with connectivity options except for wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp and clear, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation and adaptive cruise control. Standard tech included HDA, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, and a wireless charger. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues with state law.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included eight airbags, a rearview camera, hill start assist, parking distance sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and adjustable front seatbelt anchors. Additional features included a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available on the XLE and Limited trims. The Venza had two full sets of LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech. Standard features included HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added front parking sensors, automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise with machine learning. The EV6 also featured a driver's knee airbag.