2023 Ford Escape 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 featured a lower and wider stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the far corners of the chassis, giving the car a hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in anger, tracing a V-shaped pattern that mirrored the black trim below the bumper. The EV6's wedgy profile, with its angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, combined with a smooth and silken lower body, especially in matte silver paint, made it visually captivating.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh replaced the cartoonish grille with a more traditional front end, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The Escape, particularly in the ST-Line Elite trim, sported 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it a sleek and upscale appearance. While it didn't look rugged enough for off-road adventures, it was far from unattractive, resembling the refined aesthetics of a Mazda CX-5.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors, delivered an impressive 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This 4600-pound vehicle could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience. 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, 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 seamless, and its regenerative braking offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, its driving range in cold weather was disappointing, achieving only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite the four-cylinder's impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, making it comfortable for daily driving.

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 while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, its cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. Towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, falling short of segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom and scalloped front-seat backs to maximize rear legroom.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system, blind-spot monitoring, and 360-degree cameras were impressive. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured Sync 4, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications. The system was slightly slow to respond, and the volume knob placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, Sync 4's feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came equipped with advanced safety tech, including HDA, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking and 360 cameras.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-centering technology.