2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, and additional lower body trim. It featured unique 20-inch wheels and upgraded interior detailing, including a simulated suede interior headliner. These enhancements made the Calligraphy trim appear more luxurious than other Palisade models, drawing attention with its unconventional styling. Inside, the Calligraphy trim boasted a Beige over Navy Blue color scheme with premium Nappa leather and a suede headliner, offering a cabin that seemed more expensive than its actual price.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival offered distinct design elements across its trims. The LX trim featured a standard grille and silver-painted 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim added more paint color options, 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, and simulated open-pore wood trim. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, while the SX Prestige focused on interior upgrades with VIP Lounge Seats and real leather. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and a robust roof-rack, making it visually appealing and distinct from traditional minivans.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. It offered Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade AWD achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 21.1 mpg. The Palisade's firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not outright fun. It offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity with a new seven-pin trailer pre-wiring connector.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine delivered smooth acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used. The Carnival achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 21.7 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and accessible interior, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and separate climate controls for third-row passengers. The second-row captain’s chairs provided ample legroom and support, sliding forward and back for passenger and cargo needs. The Palisade's third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class. It offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival prioritized practicality with its SUV-style design. The LX trim featured second-row captain’s chairs with a wide center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle second-row seat for flexible seating arrangements. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, and the SX Prestige included power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with an Ottoman-style leg rest. The Carnival provided 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expanding to 86.9 cubic feet with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats in LX, EX, or SX trims created 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems: an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen requiring a wired connection. The Calligraphy trim included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, Blue Link connected services, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, Quiet Mode, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and UVO Link connected services. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Features like Passenger View, Passenger Talk, and Quiet Mode enhanced convenience and communication.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems. It included a rear occupant alert system, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, and a Safe Exit Assist system. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a Blind View Monitor and Blue Link services. Highway Drive Assist provided smooth and sophisticated adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival 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. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.