2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender paid homage to its storied lineage, which began with the original Land Rover Series I in 1948. Over the years, the Defender evolved through various iterations, maintaining its iconic design elements such as round headlamps and a boxy cabin. The new Defender aimed to blend this classic appeal with modern aesthetics, featuring half-round LED headlights and a structural grille design. Its short overhangs and robust build gave it a capable and adventurous look, while the interior showcased an exposed structure theme with high-quality materials like real metal and leather, offering a luxurious yet rugged feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival embraced a unique design approach, setting itself apart with distinct trim-specific elements. The Carnival's exterior featured SUV styling cues, such as a floating roof design and robust skid plates, while the interior offered a crossover-like dashboard and center console. The Carnival's design was angular and conservative, appealing to those who preferred a more refined look. Inside, the Carnival provided a range of seating configurations, including VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim, which added a touch of luxury with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated features.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S., starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A more powerful option was the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like full-time 4WD, Terrain Response, and a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds. It could tackle challenging terrains with ease, thanks to its 30.1-degree approach angle and 37.6-degree departure angle. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 3.0-liter version accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with 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. While it lacked all-wheel drive, the Carnival offered a smooth and steady driving experience. It featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, and it provided a taut and athletic feel on the road. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when not loaded with passengers or cargo.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized a unibody platform, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance with its independent multi-link air suspension. The interior offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with up to 78.8 cubic feet available behind the first row in the 110 model.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering various seating configurations to accommodate different needs. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a wide center pass-through, while higher trims offered VIP Lounge Seats with luxurious features. The Carnival's cargo space was impressive, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could sometimes open unintentionally.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view for off-roading, and optional Meridian sound systems with up to 700 watts of amplification.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX trim offering an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired connections, navigation, and additional features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk. 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.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, emergency braking, and a 360-degree parking aid. Although crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Defender underwent extensive durability testing in harsh conditions.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a wide range 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 an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were not available at the time of review.