2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front design featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When lit, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported LED-illuminated toothy taillights, except for the base model, giving it a standout appearance among compact SUVs. The Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was well-appointed, offering stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, with sport combination and leather-trimmed options available on higher trims. The interior design emphasized spaciousness with horizontal lines across the dashboard and an uncluttered aesthetic.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, in its second year in the U.S. market, distinguished itself with a unique sense of style, interior fittings, and impressive technology. The Carnival came in LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims, with base prices ranging from $33,100 to $46,200, plus a destination charge. The SX Prestige trim, with its Astra Blue paint and additional packages, had an MSRP of $49,285. The Carnival's design conveyed an upscale image, with high-tech front and rear lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. Inside, the Carnival featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and flashy dashboard trim. The interior materials were of high quality, and the transmission shifter's solid action added to the sense of quality. The Carnival's design and features made it an attractive and upscale option in the minivan category.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly inspiring, it was competent and efficient, targeting 28 mpg combined. The hybrid powertrain, with 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Tucson Hybrid outperformed competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. All-wheel drive was available on ICE models and standard on the hybrid, offering impressive off-road capabilities. The Tucson Hybrid achieved 37 mpg combined, with the most efficient model reaching 38 mpg. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, though range specifications were not yet available.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It was EPA-rated for 22 mpg in combined driving and offered a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The Carnival featured Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. While it lacked AWD and a hybrid powertrain, the V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated smoothly, and Sport mode enhanced performance on steep roads. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. Despite this, the Carnival offered a satisfying driving experience, with a firm, sporty ride quality when lightly loaded and a softer ride with a full passenger load. The Carnival's performance was competitive, though the Honda Odyssey offered a slightly more athletic driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly compact SUV, offered a well-appointed interior that rivaled its competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims, along with lumbar support. Heated and ventilated front seats, memory settings, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat were also available. The Tucson's new platform provided increased passenger and cargo space, with more rear legroom than the RAV4 and comparable headroom to other compact SUVs. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with a 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area that rivaled the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor, with remote release for folding the rear seats and an available hands-free liftgate.

The 2023 Kia Carnival defied typical minivan conventions with its SUV-like design and driving position. It offered three types of upholstery, with cloth seats in the LX, artificial leather in the EX and SX, and genuine leather in the SX Prestige. The SX Prestige trim included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added convenience and luxury, though they limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, with USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival's cargo area featured a smart power liftgate, a deep well, and 40.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. The third-row seats could be tumbled into the storage well, though the resulting load floor had numerous crevices. Without the VIP Lounge Seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet, comparable to a Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. A 4.2-inch multi-information display was positioned in front of the driver. Upgrading to the SEL/Blue trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, though it required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit, with touchpoints for climate control and media functions. While responsive, the touchpoints lacked physical differentiation, making it challenging to use while driving.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, mounted side-by-side under a single piece of glass. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and dynamic imagery, changing with 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 services. The 12-speaker Bose audio system, however, was mediocre. 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 streaming content, though teenagers preferred their own devices. The Carnival's tech package was comprehensive, though the voice recognition system had limitations.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. Additional safety features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and complimentary maintenance for three years.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive set of safety features, including 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 Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and accurate assistance. The IIHS named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though the standard headlights received a Poor rating.