2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and convenience for families. Its design adhered to the traditional minivan style, with sliding side doors that made loading children into car seats a breeze, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey provided a comfortable third-row seat, ample cargo space, and a stylish appearance, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. The interior featured a classic open-concept design with quality materials and a user-friendly layout, although the switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard. The expansive windshield and small front quarter windows enhanced visibility, making the Odyssey a practical choice for those who valued functionality and style.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival stood out with its distinctive design and upscale image. It offered a more SUV-like driving experience, with a visible hood and a lower driving position. The Carnival's interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment, adding sophistication to the cabin. The SX Prestige trim included luxurious features like VIP Lounge Seats, which were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated. However, these seats limited cargo space and accessibility to the third row. The Carnival's exterior design, with high-tech lighting and intricate grille, contributed to its upscale appearance, making it an attractive option for those seeking a stylish and modern minivan.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive and had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey provided a fun driving experience, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes were prone to overheating during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained enjoyable to drive, with a smooth and composed ride.

The 2023 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also offered front-wheel drive and had an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. The Carnival provided a satisfying driving experience, with a firm and sporty ride quality. However, its brakes showed signs of fading during downhill driving, requiring more pressure on the pedal. The Carnival's driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport, allowed for customization, and it offered a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. Overall, the Carnival was enjoyable to drive, though the Odyssey felt slightly more athletic.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather seats, a tri-zone climate control system, and ample storage space. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility, allowing for easy access to the third row and enhanced safety for children. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo capacity to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a maximum cargo volume of 144.9 cubic feet.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior design resembled that of an SUV, with a visible hood and a lower driving position. It offered three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige featuring genuine leather. The Carnival's VIP Lounge Seats were luxurious but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Carnival provided 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. The smart power liftgate and deep cargo well added convenience. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo capacity to 145.1 cubic feet, making the Carnival a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Touring and Elite trims included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a single 10.2-inch display, but it was considered outdated. The Odyssey's infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked a tuning knob and a larger screen. Overall, the technology package was underwhelming and in need of an upgrade.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured dual 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment, providing a sophisticated and modern look. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. The Carnival offered additional tech features like Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system allowed for streaming content, but teenagers preferred using their own devices. The Carnival's technology package was impressive, though the Bose audio system was considered mediocre.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system and automatic high-beam headlights. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The Carnival EX added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Carnival's safety features were effective, with Highway Driving Assist proving particularly reliable. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick, though the NHTSA had not yet tested it.