2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that combined a playful and unique exterior with a more subdued rear design. Its front featured a busy arrangement of lights and a distinctive grille, appealing to younger buyers with its funky style. Inside, the Kona maintained a balance between fun and functionality, offering neat seat patterns and a straightforward, intuitive layout. The interior was compact yet well-organized, with an infotainment system touchscreen and physical climate controls that were easy to use.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival presented a more sophisticated and varied design across its trims. The LX trim had a standard black 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 luxury 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, making it stand out in the minivan segment. Its interior was upscale, with a dashboard and seat arrangement reminiscent of a crossover, and offered various seating configurations and color options.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 195 horsepower. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The Kona's engines provided sufficient power for city and highway driving, and its handling was agile and engaging. Fuel economy varied depending on the engine and drivetrain, with the base engine and FWD achieving 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Carnival offered a smooth and steady acceleration, with driving modes including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg, and the Carnival demonstrated a taut and athletic feel on the road. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded. The Carnival's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with controls and displays easily accessible. The front seats were wide and padded but lacked support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom, and the Kona's cargo space was smaller than most competitors, though small-item storage was generous.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering various seating configurations and ample cargo space. The LX trim featured captain’s chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims offered VIP Lounge Seats with luxurious features. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo area was spacious, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 145.1 cubic feet with seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six speakers. Optional features included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and easy navigation.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of tech features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration in the LX trim. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and additional features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige featured a digital instrumentation display and a Bose audio system. The Carnival's tech was comprehensive, though it required time to fully understand and set up.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were not available at the time of review.