2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its rugged and aggressive exterior styling, a testament to its long-standing design lineage. Despite its decade-old body shell, the GX featured a massive spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, which gave it a distinctive look that appealed to SUV enthusiasts. However, the interior did not match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials. While leather upholstery was standard, the overall interior ambiance felt dated compared to contemporary luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival offered a fresh and appealing design with unique elements across its trims. The Carnival's exterior was sharply angular, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console reminiscent of a crossover. The interior was upscale even in base trim, with options for simulated leather and various color schemes. The SX Prestige trim stood out with VIP Lounge Seats, adding a touch of luxury and comfort, although they limited cargo space flexibility.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's hefty 5,130-pound weight made high-speed maneuvers and braking less agile. The body-on-frame construction contributed to a less refined ride quality, but the GX excelled in off-road capabilities with features like a Torsen center differential and a low-range 4WD system. It also offered a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, making it a robust choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a 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's V6 provided smooth and steady acceleration, with driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart to suit different preferences. While the Carnival felt athletic and responsive, it occasionally exhibited stiffness over uneven surfaces. The Carnival's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined estimate of 22 mpg.

The interior of the 2021 Lexus GX reflected its age, with limited legroom due to the upright dashboard and high center console. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position added to the bus-like driving feel. While the GX offered excellent outward visibility, the third-row access was cumbersome, and cargo space was limited with the third row in use. With the seats folded, the GX provided 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering versatile seating configurations and ample cargo space. The second-row Slide Flex seats allowed for various arrangements, including a middle seat that could slide forward or fold flat. The SX Prestige trim featured luxurious VIP Lounge Seats, though they limited cargo flexibility. The Carnival's rear cargo area was spacious, 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 doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics, and the touchscreen offered limited functionality. However, Lexus provided analog controls for most functions, which some users might appreciate for their simplicity.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a more advanced tech suite, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the LX trim. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, 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. Kia's technology was intuitive, though it required some time to fully explore and set up.

The 2021 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable for this model.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted a comprehensive suite 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, though the latter's steering assist was sometimes intrusive. 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.