2022 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking blend of sportiness and sleek design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its lower and wider stance, combined with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, gave it a visually appealing and stable look. The wheels were pushed to the far corners of the chassis, creating a hip-like body shape similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive squint, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim below, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The overall design was both sharp and smooth, especially in the matte silver paint of the test car.

The EV6's interior was equally impressive, featuring dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather. Ambient lighting flowed around the dash and rear passengers, creating a futuristic feel. The hockey-puck shifter and digital controls added to the car's modern aesthetic. Despite its wild design, the EV6 prioritized driving enjoyment, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was a highly sought-after vehicle. The Bronco lineup expanded to include the Everglades model, designed for swamp trekking with features like an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance off-road capabilities. Large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate added to its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Bronco continued its utilitarian theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and floor drain plugs for easy cleaning. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains, while the digital instrument panel and large infotainment touchscreen added a modern touch. The Bronco's combination of rugged design and advanced technology made it a versatile and capable off-road vehicle.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, offered impressive performance. The 77-kilowatt-hour battery allowed the 4600-pound car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light, with its 58 kWh battery and 167 hp motor, was less impressive. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models, with 225 hp, were more acceptable.

The EV6's torque delivery was smooth and immediate, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the car delivering only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times were also longer than Kia's claims, with the car taking 35 minutes to go from 15 to 80 percent battery at a 130 kW charger.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine was available with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the V6 came with a 10-speed automatic. All Broncos featured four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

Both engines provided ample power for various settings, with the Bronco excelling in off-road conditions. The Everglades model, tested on challenging terrain, demonstrated its capabilities with ease, handling deep water crossings and steep rock climbs without issue. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better steering than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. The only notable drawback was the wind noise on the highway, but it was not intrusive enough to be a major concern.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements 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 in all seating positions, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy shape contributed to its spacious interior, with ample headroom and legroom for all passengers. The higher-riding trims required some effort to enter, but grab handles and side steps helped. The two-door Bronco offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, while the four-door model provided 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. The rear seats did not fold flat, complicating the loading of larger objects. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions and accessories, such as stowable doors and removable fender flares.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and easy-to-adjust settings. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6 came standard with many tech features, including Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and dual 12-inch screens. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system.

The 2022 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrains, and the forward-looking trail camera provided confidence on challenging trails. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system was responsive and loaded with helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a wireless charging pad was available.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech. Standard features included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave the Bronco its best score of "Good" in most tests and "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.