2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional design compared to its futuristic successor. Its upright layout offered drivers a commanding view of the road, while the interior boasted a modern and attractive dash design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with buttons and dials easily accessible. The Tucson was available in several trims, each adding more features, from the base SE with its 17-inch alloy wheels and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, to the range-topping Ultimate trim, which included a panoramic sunroof and heated rear seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The LX trim featured a standard grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered more paint colors and 19-inch machined-finish wheels. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige trim focused on cabin enhancements with VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling cues, such as simulated skid plates and a floating roof design, contributed to its appealing and angular design, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine offered a livelier performance around town. The Tucson's towing capacity ranged from 1,500 pounds with the base engine to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Carnival's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Sport mode addressing delayed downshift responses. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with a tested average of 21.7 mpg. The vehicle's dynamic performance was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over certain road surfaces.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it provided adequate space for weekend trips. The Tucson's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The vehicle featured numerous storage compartments and a hands-free power liftgate in higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with its SUV-style dashboard and center console design. The LX trim featured captain’s chairs with a 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 trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The Carnival's cargo area provided 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Removing the second-row seats in certain trims increased cargo volume to 145.1 cubic feet. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, with navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging available. The touchscreen interface was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim included analog gauges, a digital driver information center, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. Additional features included Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication within the vehicle. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid array of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree parking monitor. The Tucson received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted an extensive list of advanced driving assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot monitoring. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. 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. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.