2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its luxurious design and features. The 2018 refresh introduced a dual-screen center console, a hallmark of Land Rover interiors, and the availability of a plug-in hybrid variant. The model offered a range of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and a dual-screen infotainment system, to the high-end Autobiography and SVR models, which boasted powerful V8 engines and performance-oriented features. The interior was characterized by high-quality materials and advanced technology, making it a desirable choice for those seeking luxury and performance.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival presented a unique design approach, blending SUV styling with minivan practicality. Each trim level offered distinct design elements, from the standard grille on the LX to the mirrored grid-pattern grille on the SX. The SX Prestige trim elevated the interior with real leather and VIP Lounge Seats, complete with Ottoman-style leg rests. The Carnival's design was sharp and angular, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the Carnival maintained an upscale feel, with a dashboard and center console reminiscent of a crossover, and a variety of interior color options that added to its appeal.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrain options, catering to different performance needs. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine in the HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition boasted 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with 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. The Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg, with real-world testing averaging 21.7 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival exhibited a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, but reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. The first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children. The Range Rover Sport's cargo capacity was adequate for road trips, but there were more spacious options available.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with an SUV-style design that limited storage space compared to some competitors. The LX trim featured second-row captain’s chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle seat for three-across seating. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, while the SX Prestige featured power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival provided 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable 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 Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings, and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. The system featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but was not always intuitive, with a learning curve for users. The system's saving grace was the pair of dials integrated into the lower screen, which controlled various functions. The touchscreen layout was simplified, with reasonably sized icons for menu navigation.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim level. The LX trim featured traditional analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six speakers. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and eight speakers. Additional features included Passenger View and Passenger Talk, as well as a Quiet Mode for the stereo. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a quick reference guide for the technology, which was generally intuitive to use.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with a decent list of standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure, -keeping, and -centering assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). 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.