2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it managed to embody the essence of an SUV while offering a range of trims from the affordable Laredo to the luxurious Summit, and even performance-oriented models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, boasted a premium look with body-color accents and a platinum chrome finish, while the interior featured premium materials like leather, wood, and aluminum, creating a luxurious cabin atmosphere. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival offered a fresh and unique design approach, setting itself apart with distinct elements across its trims. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included features like simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and a tall hood, giving it a robust and appealing look. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console reminiscent of a crossover, exuding an upscale feel even in base trim. The Carnival's interior was practical, with flexible seating configurations and standout features like the VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim. These seats offered power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated comfort, complete with an Ottoman-style leg rest, making them a highlight for families. Despite some compromises in headroom and cargo flexibility, the Carnival's design was praised for its sharp, angular lines and attention-grabbing personality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed for a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine provided 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, along with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 engine featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it still averaged around 17 mpg in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, along with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, offered impressive off-road capabilities, allowing for quick adjustments in ground clearance and traction settings. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee remained responsive and relatively quiet during daily driving, though the V8's fuel consumption and occasional bounciness were noted.

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 lacking all-wheel drive and electrified options, the Carnival offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating seamlessly. The Carnival offered various driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the preferred choice despite some delayed downshift responses. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 21.7 mpg. Dynamically, the Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive handling. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces, suggesting it might settle down with a full load of passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, leather-wrapped panels, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were integrated into the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee's cargo space measured 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet when the second-row seats were folded. While the cargo area featured practical storage solutions, the overall interior storage was deemed inadequate.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering flexible seating configurations and ample cargo space. The LX trim featured individual captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle second-row seat for increased versatility. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, while the SX Prestige trim boasted VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and an Ottoman-style leg rest. The Carnival's third-row seat provided comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated. With the second-row seats removed, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo volume of 145.1 cubic feet, surpassing many competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, along with a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, allowing for control of various features. The Grand Cherokee offered a premium Alpine sound system, with the Summit trim featuring a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee's technology was considered "tech lite," it provided essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LX trim, including Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and UVO Link connected services. The Carnival also featured Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication within the vehicle. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with streaming capabilities, while the SX Prestige trim included 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 Carnival's technology.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, though the 2WD version received four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. However, the Grand Cherokee's performance in IIHS testing was less favorable, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, enhancing safety with additional features like lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. 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, enhancing safety for passengers. The SX trim included a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige trim offered a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results for the Carnival were unavailable at the time of review.