2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. The exterior design, largely unchanged since 2011, was updated for the 2021 model year, particularly evident in the SRT Hellcat model. This version featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive look. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior schemes. Inside, the cabin was modernized with a new instrument panel and an updated Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors, providing a blend of functionality and style.

The 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The LX trim featured a standard grille and 17-inch wheels, while the EX trim offered more paint options and 19-inch wheels. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige focused on interior upgrades with VIP Lounge Seats and leather upholstery. The Carnival's SUV-like styling included skid plates, a floating roof design, and a robust roof rack. Despite its minivan roots, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the dashboard and seating arrangements mimicked a crossover, with various interior color options and practical features like a sliding second-row seat.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines, from a 3.6-liter V6 producing up to 295 horsepower to a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 delivering 710 horsepower. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Durango's performance was robust, with the SRT Hellcat model providing impressive acceleration and handling. However, the chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The Durango's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package, and the SRT models featured Performance Pages for track enthusiasts.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival offered smooth acceleration and a choice of driving modes, though the transmission occasionally delayed downshifts. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with a tested average of 21.7 mpg. The front-wheel-drive setup provided a taut and athletic feel, though the ride could be stiff over uneven surfaces. The Carnival's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, suitable for light-duty towing needs.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler with seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row offered more room than many competitors. The Durango provided 21 seat options and a decent amount of cargo space, making it versatile for family needs. The SUV's fit and finish had improved over the years, contributing to its appeal as a midsize family vehicle.

The 2022 Kia Carnival prioritized practicality with its minivan roots, offering flexible seating configurations and ample cargo space. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims added VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leather upholstery. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo area provided 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row. With seats folded or removed, the Carnival offered up to 145.1 cubic feet of cargo volume, surpassing many SUVs. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, with the larger screen running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable, offering features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though the lack of a head-up display was a drawback.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX offering an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and UVO Link services. The Carnival also featured Passenger View and Passenger Talk for rear-seat communication. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige included a digital instrumentation display and a Bose audio system. The technology was generally intuitive, though a comprehensive guide was recommended for setup.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited, with a rearview camera as the only standard active safety feature. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but IIHS ratings were unavailable.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival also included a rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera system, and the SX Prestige added a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were pending at the time of review.