2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear showcased bold, large taillights. The Q5's overall appearance was classy and modern, with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in hybrid version, the Q5 PHEV, included S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, such as standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, further elevating its aesthetic appeal.

Inside, the Q5 continued its classy and modern theme. Despite being packed with technology, it maintained an uncluttered appearance with smartly grouped buttons, switches, and knobs. The material selection was of high quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed at the top of the center stack for easy visibility. The second row was also well-appointed, featuring standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, offered unique design elements across its various trims. The LX trim featured a standard grille and silver-painted 17-inch aluminum wheels. The EX trim doubled the available paint colors and added 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, simulated open-pore wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels. The SX Prestige trim focused on cabin enhancements, including simulated textured metal dashboard trim, real leather, and VIP Lounge Seats.

The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and a robust roof rack on higher trims. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia integrated them with character lines that connected the headlights and taillights. The Carnival's design was angular and conservatively tasteful, standing out in its segment. Inside, the SUV theme continued with a dashboard and center console resembling a crossover. The entry-level LX model featured a two-tone black-and-gray interior with cloth seats, while higher trims offered more luxurious options like Tuscan Umber interior color.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience with its plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 362 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided impressive acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. The Q5 PHEV offered a fuel economy of 65 MPGe combined, with a gasoline-only mode rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive, offering various driving modes for efficient and quiet operation.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked all-wheel drive and electrified options, it offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. The EPA rated the Carnival at 22 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 21.7 mpg during testing. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive handling.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered a well-balanced interior space, with 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches) and ample headroom (37.7 inches) and shoulder room (56.5 inches). The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation options. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage solutions, including cupholders, cubbies, and a center-console storage bin.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with its SUV-style design limiting storage space compared to some competitors. The LX trim featured individual captain's chairs in the second row, with a wide center pass-through. The LX Seat Package added a middle second-row seat, allowing for flexible seating configurations. Higher trims offered power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated VIP Lounge Seats with Ottoman-style leg rests. The third-row seat provided suitable comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of volume behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats increased it to 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The system offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic, providing a customizable and futuristic experience. The Prestige Package included a Navigation Package, optimizing fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, offering compatibility with most toll road services. The Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim. The LX trim featured traditional analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Starting with EX trim, the Carnival offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX trim also included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and eight speakers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with touchscreen control, device mirroring, and embedded apps. The SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound audio system.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline-only model received top "good" ratings in most categories. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim included a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige offered a Blind View Monitor.