2023 Subaru Outback 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. Its lower and wider stance, combined with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler and lightbar, gave it a dynamic presence. The wheels were pushed to the corners, creating a body with pronounced hips, similar to the curves of a Porsche 911. The EV6's headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, complementing the black trim below, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The car's profile was sharp and angular, with a smooth lower body, especially in matte silver paint. The interior was equally impressive, with 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 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. The redesigned front end featured new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray cladding, simulating large air intakes. The addition of a simulated skid plate, fog lights, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim further enhanced its rugged look. The Onyx Edition, with black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding. Inside, the Outback Touring trim offered a luxurious experience with Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, contrasting beautifully with the black interior. The dashboard and door panels featured light gray stitching, creating an upscale and cohesive cabin environment.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the 4600-pound vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's handling was sharp, with torque distributed effectively between the front and rear motors, providing a seamless driving experience. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in its maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate during testing. Charging was efficient, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds were often lower due to network limitations.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, with its standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine, produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While the CVT made good use of this power at lower speeds, the engine struggled with passing and climbing. The Outback's fuel efficiency was also below expectations, achieving 25.6 mpg compared to the EPA's 28 mpg estimate. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four in the XT models offered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its suspension tuning provided a comfortable ride in various driving conditions.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior 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 EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it included an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Touring trim offered a comfortable experience with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, as well as heated rear seats. The Outback's cargo space was ample, with 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the rear seats provided a supportive and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display with augmented reality. The system included features like blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. In Massachusetts, Kia Connect features were disabled due to compliance issues with state laws.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical controls for volume and climate settings, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The voice recognition system was limited, but the vehicle offered a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera for added convenience.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including the HDA system, lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GT-Line trim added evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control with machine learning. However, there were no published test results from U.S. safety organizations.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was highly rated for safety by the IIHS, earning top marks in crash tests. The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like Automatic Emergency Steering and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for improved pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback's safety systems were effective, though some features, like the rear automatic braking, had limitations in certain situations.