2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sporty and sleek design reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a lower and wider stance that gave it a visually appealing presence. Its design featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar, and wheels pushed to the corners of the chassis, creating a body with pronounced hips. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those on a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. The headlights, with their V-shaped pattern, and the sealed air intake-like trim on the bumper, contributed to its aggressive look. The wedgy profile, with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler, combined with a smooth lower body, especially in matte silver paint, made the EV6 stand out.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, particularly in Black Onyx, transformed into a rolling black hole with its chrome-free exterior. Despite its modern Black Line treatment, the GX's design remained reminiscent of its predecessors, with a tall and narrow shoebox shape. The signature Lexus spindle grille, running lights, and triple-beam LED headlights were the few modern touches on an otherwise dated design. The interior, while crafted with Lexus's legendary quality, retained a similar theme to the original GX, offering a quiet cabin with a faint V8 engine roar. The GX's design, though not as contemporary as the EV6, provided a sense of refinement and durability.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, 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 agile, with torque distributed effectively between the 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 EV6 accepting up to 240 kW, though real-world charging speeds were lower than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX's powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD system, provided a satisfying engine note and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The GX's fuel economy was estimated at 16 mpg in combined driving, with a slightly better result of 16.8 mpg during testing. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved the GX's ride quality, making it stable and secure despite its tall and narrow design. The GX's off-road capabilities were enhanced with the optional Off-Road Package, which included features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured comfortable seats and physical controls, though some switchgear was outdated. The GX's rear seat access was challenging, and the third-row seat was cramped, reducing cargo space. The tailgate swung open to the side, complicating loading in tight spaces. Cargo capacity was limited to 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included features like Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation, and the remote parking system allowed for external vehicle movement. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2022 Lexus GX featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed, but the dual-screen view and voice recognition technology were highlights. The GX also offered Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view cameras.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published safety ratings but included standard features like lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like evasive steering assist and machine learning for adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Lexus GX, without crash-test ratings, offered Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. It also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors.