2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sportier and more svelte design compared to the Tesla Model Y, reminiscent of the 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 furthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp look. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission, and additional body cladding. The interior displayed a good sense of style with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, though it had a lot of hard plastic. The controls were logically arranged, and the rear seat provided ample space for adults, making it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The car's 77-kilowatt-hour battery and low-mounted chassis allowed it to corner like a getaway car. 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 a single motor with 167 hp, which was not recommended. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered a more acceptable 225 hp. The EV6's regenerative braking had over eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the EV6 delivering only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, made the Seltos more engaging to drive. The AWD system had a Lock function for power delivery at lower speeds, and the Seltos managed 27 mpg in combined driving. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement and feeling bouncy on undulating roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos was easy to park and had excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative functions 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 interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with only 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 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition had a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, making it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens, wireless charging, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel showed live feeds of blind spots, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6 also featured a remote parking system and Highway Driving Assist (HDA), though the lane-change feature worked inconsistently. Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues with state laws.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, with Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The system was intuitive to use, with physical buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and a native conversational voice recognition system was missing. The Seltos also lacked some advanced features like a remote parking system.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with impressive safety tech, including 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 features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning. However, there were no published test results from any government or independent agency in the U.S.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was fortified with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. The Seltos earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.