2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its siblings in the Genesis lineup. It featured quad LED strips for both headlights and taillights, paired with a prominent shield-shaped grille. The vehicle's sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a touch of athleticism, blending the ruggedness of an SUV with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling cues, including large vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by the cross-section of an airplane's wing, with an elliptical theme that extended to the controls and door handles. The design was minimalistic, with a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents, creating a luxurious yet futuristic ambiance. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts, although base models featured leatherette seats.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique take on the minivan segment, with a design that defied traditional minivan aesthetics. From the driver's seat, it felt more like an SUV, with a visible hood and a lower driving position. The Carnival offered three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige trim featuring genuine leather, albeit with a stiff feel. The interior was equipped with a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added a touch of luxury, although they came with some compromises in terms of cargo space and accessibility. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area offered ample capacity, with a smart power liftgate providing easy access. Overall, the Carnival's interior was designed to offer comfort and convenience, with thoughtful features like USB ports, cupholders, and sunshades for third-row passengers.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), a feature not commonly found in competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, which typically offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard. The GV70 also included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more commonly associated with sporty coupes. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced the vehicle's sporty character, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of rivals like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was less than pleasant. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, but its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) Carnival offered a combined EPA rating of 22 mpg and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. Drivers could choose from Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. While the Carnival lacked AWD and a hybrid powertrain, its V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated smoothly, and Sport mode kept the drivetrain in its power band during demanding driving conditions. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, although they performed well in other situations. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty with a single occupant but softened with a full load. Despite some wind noise at higher speeds, the Carnival offered a satisfying driving experience, with a ride quality that was better than the Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to thin rear pillars. The GV70's cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground between competitors. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, although some controls were less intuitive.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior defied minivan conventions, offering a driving experience more akin to an SUV. The Carnival provided three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige trim featuring genuine leather. The interior included a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added luxury, but they limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space behind it. The smart power liftgate provided easy access, and the third-row seats could be tumbled into a storage well to expand cargo space. Without the VIP Lounge Seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet, comparable to a Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 was equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added a touch of luxury. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display, with a 3D effect that enhanced the graphics. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services, included free for three years, offered remote camera activation, driver profiles, and navigation features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate connected services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, but teenagers preferred their own devices.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. The GV70 included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag for added protection. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2, which added lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features added as you moved up the trim levels. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, while the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The IIHS named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, although the NHTSA had not performed crash tests at the time of review.