2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT, in particular, showcased a unique interior with gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, offering a blend of practicality and style. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. It was essentially a lifted wagon, providing a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, offered distinct design elements across its trims. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and silver-painted 17-inch wheels, while the EX trim introduced 19-inch machined-finish wheels and simulated open-pore wood trim. The SX trim replaced the standard grille with a mirrored grid-pattern design and added black wheels. The SX Prestige trim focused on cabin enhancements, including real leather and 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 Subaru Outback's performance was hindered by its 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which struggled to move the vehicle efficiently, especially when loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further limited its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving its capability and refinement. The Outback's handling was more about comfort than speed, with its high ground clearance and long-travel springs providing excellent off-road capability. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering additional driving modes for challenging conditions.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart available. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with a tested average of 21.7 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt athletic and taut, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces. Its towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. Its ground clearance was higher than many trucks, allowing it to tackle various terrains without being oversized. The Outback's interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent outward visibility. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims, and the moonroof was bundled with expensive options.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with its SUV-style dashboard and center console. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle seat for more flexibility. 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 leg rests. The Carnival's cargo space was generous, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats in certain trims increased cargo volume to 145.1 cubic feet, surpassing even a Chevy Suburban.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it included modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the optional navigation system was more visually appealing. Subaru EyeSight was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Despite its limitations, the system provided good semi-automated control on highways.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology offerings varied by trim. The LX trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Starting with the EX trim, a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system was available, featuring wired smartphone integration, navigation, and voice recognition. The Carnival also offered features like 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 included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims, while rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were optional or standard on select models. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some variations in specific tests.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted a comprehensive list 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 navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Carnival's Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 driving aid, although its effectiveness varied. The vehicle also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.