In a car market where EVs and SUVs are more popular than ever, the 2022 Kia EV6 all-electric crossover SUV is affordable and reliable. As such, vehicle buyers should definitely consider it an option. But how does this electric vehicle compare to the competition? Here are four reasons to buy a 2022 Kia EV6, not the rival Hyundai Ioniq 5.

1. The 2022 Kia EV6 is more affordable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Kia EV6 starts at $40,900. But with tax credits, this EV could cost $33,400 or less. Its Hyundai rival, the Ioniq 5, starts at $44,000 — over $3,000 more than EV6. That said, there are some tradeoffs to the affordability of the Kia EV’s Light trim.

One example is the horsepower output. The Ioniq 5 SE trim can produce as much as 225 hp, while the Kia EV6 Light trim is limited to 167 hp. Although the torque figures are equal at 258 lb-ft of torque, this difference in motor performance is evident in the acceleration. The Hyundai EV has a 0-60-mph acceleration of 7.4 seconds, compared to the EV6’s 8.0 seconds.

The driving range also favors the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a 303-mile electric range. In comparison, the Kia EV6’s range at 232 miles is quite underwhelming. Nevertheless, if you only use the EV to commute to and from work every day, this range difference might not mean much.

2. The 2022 Kia EV6 gets better fuel economy than the Hyundai Ioniq 5

In addition to the initial ownership costs, the Kia EV6 can also save you some funds on fuel compared to its Hyundai counterpart. According to Edmunds, the all-electric Hyundai SUV offers 132 MPGe fuel economy in the city. This is lowered to 98 MPGe on the highway. The resulting combined fuel economy is 114 MPGe.

Conversely, the Kia EV6’s EPA-estimated fuel use metrics are 136 MPGe in the city, dropping to 100 MPBe on the highway. As for the combined use rating, it stands at 117 MPGe, a little better than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

It’s worth noting that Consumer Reports ranks these two EVs as average in fuel economy. That’s because offerings like the Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt, and even the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric offer better fuel efficiency. The Tesla Model 3, the class leader in the website’s testing ground, achieved 130 MPGe.

3. The Kia charges faster

The Kia EV6 Light trim comes with the smallest battery in the lineup, with its maximum capacity at 58.0 kWh. That allows the EV to charge faster than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. In fact, you have to wait only 6.3 hours for a full charge with the EV6 if you’re working with a 240V outlet.

If you spend the extra money buying the Ioniq 5 SE trim, this charging time is extended by 2.2 hours, thanks to a 77.4-kWh battery. This difference in battery capacity might also be partly responsible for the range difference mentioned above.

Notably, this charging time advantage doesn’t carry over into the higher trims of the vehicle because they feature a bigger 77.4-kWh battery. As such, the charging time is extended to 8.7 hours. The Ioniq 5 EV, on the other hand, uses the same battery in all three of its trims, with the charging time remaining the same at 8.5 hours.

4. The EV6 is lighter and more maneuverable

One advantage that carries throughout the 2022 Kia EV6 lineup is the car’s weight. This is particularly true for the standard model, which weighs 5,004 pounds due to its small battery. Conversely, the Hyundai equivalent weighs 5,357 pounds.

Its lighter weight makes the 2022 Kia EV6 more maneuverable in traffic and sharp corners. However, the weight difference between the two EVs shrinks considerably in the higher trim levels, even narrowing as much as 22 pounds.