2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a conservative yet timeless design. The refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its appeal. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, showcased a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer-looking cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. Despite the upscale appearance, the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. The updated Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra pizzazz, ensuring it remained fresh until a full redesign.

The 2022 Kia EV6, in contrast, offered a sportier and more svelte design reminiscent of a 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 corners, giving the body a hip-like appearance similar to 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 matte silver paint on the test car enhanced its smooth and silken appearance.

The EV6's interior featured dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and black and white seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting flowed around the dash and rear passengers, creating an airy and open space. The hockey-puck shifter and digital controls added to the futuristic feel. The EV6 prioritized a car-first, computer-second aesthetic, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the cargo space was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded, and the high load floor and low roof height further restricted space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for the 4Motion system. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan's MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension provided a balanced ride, while the variable assist steering adjusted based on speed. However, the engine's torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. The Tiguan was enjoyable to drive once the torque kicked in, but it lacked the power and performance expected from its engine. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but struggled when pushed for outright fun.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with its dual electric motors, delivered 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. The 77-kilowatt-hour battery allowed the 4600-pound car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller 58 kWh battery and a 167 hp motor, which we did not recommend. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered 225 hp with the larger battery.

The dual-motor GT-Line provided instant torque and seamless power delivery, 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. The EV6's drive modes were easily selectable, and the car's performance was impressive. However, our weeklong test in below-freezing temperatures revealed disappointing driving range, with the EV6 delivering 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 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The FWD models included a standard third-row seat, while the 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line test vehicle featured comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down in the 4Motion model. The FWD models with the third-row seat offered 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a notable change, though it required some adjustment.

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 low floor provided generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, 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 further restricted space, and the front trunk on AWD models was occupied by an electric motor.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription.

Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens, wireless charging, and navigation. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp and clear, and the head-up display used augmented reality for directional arrows and adaptive cruise control tracking.

Higher trims included 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 laws. Despite this, the EV6's technology was impressive and not overwhelming.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist on the base model. The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve this rating.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it offered impressive safety tech. The base Light trim included 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."