2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, priced at $42,083, was a fully-loaded model that didn't visually distinguish itself from a standard RAV4. Despite its high price, it lacked the larger wheels found on the non-hybrid RAV4 Limited and didn't offer an Adventure trim level. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough exterior look, but it could have benefited from bolder wheels. Inside, it was stylish and practical, though the quality was inconsistent, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate on the tailgate was a minor annoyance.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD, was sportier and more svelte compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y. 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 corners, giving the car a stable and stylish look. The headlights had an aggressive V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was accentuated by an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather. Ambient lighting and a hockey-puck shifter added to the futuristic feel.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced 219 horsepower, 16 hp more than the standard RAV4 but 83 hp less than the plug-in RAV4 Prime. The front electric motor generated 149 pound-feet of torque, while the rear motor produced 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. It weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, depending on the trim level, and achieved an EPA-rated 40 mpg in combined driving. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on roads, though its tires lacked grip in corners. It had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and performed adequately on light off-road terrain.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, it accelerated 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 under 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and a single motor with 167 hp. The dual-motor GT-Line offered impressive acceleration and torque distribution, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The regenerative braking system had multiple settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom, good foot space, and reclining backrests. The dashboard was well-organized, with large climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. Storage options included useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shared a touchscreen interface, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and air vents. However, the cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The RWD models had a small front trunk, while the AWD models did not. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top-tier infotainment system included an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and volume/tuning knobs. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a wireless charger. However, it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for navigation. The EV6 also offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to legal compliance issues.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a road-sign recognition system. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came equipped with advanced safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.