2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 Kia Carnival

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 included skid plates, a floating roof design, and a robust roof-rack on higher trims. Despite visible sliding door tracks, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, standing out in its segment. Inside, the SUV theme continued with a crossover-like dashboard and center console, offering an upscale look even in base trim. The interior color options varied, with the EX trim and higher offering a Tuscan Umber color, adding to the Carnival's unique personality.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold front styling with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept, creating a balanced and appealing design from front to rear. Available in multiple trims, the Outlander offered 20-inch wheels as standard or optional, with prices ranging from $25,795 to $35,345. The SEL trim with AWD and the Touring package added premium features like semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior design followed a minimalist approach with black and aluminum accents, though some plastics reminded of its segment position. Despite this, Mitsubishi avoided using obviously cheap materials, maintaining a clean and uncluttered look.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating unobtrusively. Driving modes included Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most used despite some delayed downshift responses. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. Dynamically, the Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The Outlander offered Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud driving modes, with Eco mode making it feel sluggish. The Outlander was most responsive in urban environments, but its power deficit was noticeable on highways and during overtaking. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a brittle ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with its SUV-style dashboard and center console limiting storage space compared to competitors. The LX trim offered captain’s chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims featured an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration. The SX Prestige trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The Carnival provided 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo volume to 145.1 cubic feet. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offered roomy and comfortable front seats with heated features and an eight-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seat was spacious and comfortable, with sliding functionality for more cargo space. The third-row seat was cramped and not ideal for adults, with limited cargo space of 11.7 cubic feet when in use. Folding the third row increased cargo capacity to 33.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof. The Outlander’s center console had wasted space, limiting storage compared to competitors.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX offering an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wired connectivity, navigation, and additional features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The technology was generally intuitive, though setting it up required time and effort.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The system included a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect services and wireless smartphone charging. The 10-speaker Bose audio system provided good sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance while driving.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive list of ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera system, with the SX Prestige adding a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander included Mi-Pilot Assist, a Level 2 driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. It worked well with the Outlander’s steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems. The Outlander also featured standard driver-assist technologies like forward collision avoidance and blind-spot warning. Crash-test results were not available at the time of review.