2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood out in the Hyundai lineup as a flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It boasted an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's design language. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Its profile was enhanced by sculpted wheel arches and a continuous strip of glass that created a floating roof effect. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a horizontally arrayed screen, and spacious seating arrangements. The fit and finish were impressive, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique sense of style and technology to differentiate itself from typical minivans. The Carnival's SX Prestige trim, with its Astra Blue paint and upscale features, conveyed an attractive and upscale image. The interior was sophisticated, with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality materials. However, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered unimaginative. Despite this, the Carnival managed to blend style and functionality, offering a compelling alternative to traditional minivans.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, enhancing power and efficiency. The Palisade's EPA estimates were 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. While not the most fuel-efficient in its class, the Palisade offered a satisfying driving experience with its four-wheel independent suspension and self-leveling system on higher trims. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving and offered a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The Carnival lacked AWD and hybrid options, which could have improved its performance in wet conditions. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The Carnival's brakes, however, showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. Overall, the Carnival offered a satisfying driving experience, though it faced competition from more athletic rivals like the Honda Odyssey.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. It provided comfortable seating in the third row, with easy access and cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable, and the front row offered ample storage options. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The Palisade featured a compact shift-by-wire setup, intuitive controls, and a dual-panel sunroof on higher trims, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, while not resembling a typical minivan, offered a unique interior experience. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX Prestige trim. The Carnival's three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and smart sliding doors added convenience. The VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim provided luxury but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious, and the smart power liftgate revealed 40.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Carnival's interior design and features made it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. It featured a standard display audio system on lower trims and a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system on higher trims. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade offered multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a rear-view monitor with parking guidance. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display.

The 2023 Kia Carnival impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation featured lush graphics and dynamic imagery, while the infotainment system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Carnival's tech included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system provided streaming capabilities. However, the test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, limiting some features. Despite this, the Carnival's technology package was sophisticated and user-friendly.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features. It included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, and active head restraints. Standard active safety features encompassed anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its safety credentials.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, while the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. Higher trims added features like Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating.