2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Kia Carnival presented a unique design across its various trims, each offering distinct elements that set them apart. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim doubled the available paint colors and added 19-inch machined-finish wheels, simulated wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige focused on interior upgrades with 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 upscale appearance, even in the base trim.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models, maintained a unique appearance with its quad LED headlights and taillights, shield-shaped grille, and sloping roofline. The Sport Prestige model added character with its model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. The interior featured an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector. The GV70 offered a variety of interior color options and luxurious materials, although base models came with leatherette seats. The overall design combined SUV bulk with athletic elements, making it both rugged and sleek.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used despite some delayed downshift responses. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg, with real-world testing averaging 21.7 mpg. The Carnival's front-wheel-drive dynamics felt taut and athletic, although it could feel stiff over certain road surfaces.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride with 21-inch wheels, lacking the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, as a minivan, offered practicality with its SUV-style design. The LX trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle seat for flexibility. The EX and SX trims had an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, and the SX Prestige offered VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The Carnival provided ample cargo space, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The Sport Prestige model featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. The GV70's interior was luxurious, but some controls were buried in touchscreen menus, and the posture assist activated unexpectedly.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen system with wired connectivity, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. Features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk enhanced communication, while the SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system. The SX Prestige offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The technology was intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's tile-based layout and glass rotary controller were functional and high-quality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation and other features, free for three years.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added front parking sensors and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system offered Level 2 driving aid, but its steering assist was sometimes intrusive. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality. The system's smooth control inputs impressed, but the lane-centering function struggled with curves. Crash-test ratings were not available for the GV70 at the time of review.