2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

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 silver-painted aluminum wheels, while the EX trim doubled the available paint colors and added 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, simulated open-pore wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather in three color options. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, appealing to modern tastes. The SX Prestige trim focused on interior enhancements, including real leather and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included simulated 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, contrasting with the softer lines of competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and center console, offering an upscale appearance even in base trim. The interior color options varied, with the LX model featuring a two-tone black-and-gray scheme, while higher trims offered a Tuscan Umber option, adding a unique and attention-grabbing touch.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna maintained its position as a steadfast minivan in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's evolution, from its debut in 1998 to the fourth-generation model launched in 2021. The latest Sienna embraced SUV styling cues, featuring a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges that concealed the slider channel. The overall profile was assertive, with styling details integrated into the rear fender well. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch on base models to 20-inch on upper trims. Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered design and ample storage throughout the cabin. The second and third rows offered comfortable seating, with available captain's chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The third-row seats easily stored away into the floor, enhancing cargo flexibility. The Sienna's interior was designed for family convenience, with numerous storage cubbies, cupholders, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, making it a practical choice for families on the go.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. While all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options were not available, the Carnival boasted a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival offered four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, delayed downshift responses were noted in Smart mode, particularly when accelerating after corners or curves. The Carnival achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 21.7 mpg. Dynamically, the front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive handling. However, it could feel stiff over broken pavement and bouncy over drainage dips, especially when lightly loaded.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The AWD system utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering smooth and efficient power delivery. Four selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport—allowed drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Sienna's handling was commendable for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable highway ride. The hybrid powertrain delivered impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was positioned under the front seats, backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality typical of a minivan, though its SUV-style dashboard and center console design limited storage space compared to some competitors. The LX trim featured individual captain's chairs in the second row, with an optional middle seat for added flexibility. The EX and SX trims shared the 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, while the SX Prestige trim boasted power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated VIP Lounge Seats with an Ottoman-style leg rest. These seats, however, could not be removed or folded flat, limiting maximum cargo volume. The Carnival's third-row seat provided suitable comfort for adults and ample space for kids. The rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of volume behind the third-row seat, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats in LX, EX, or SX trims increased cargo volume to 145.1 cubic feet. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled as a family workhorse, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's 3,500-pound towing capacity matched that of the Carnival. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, enhancing cargo versatility. Each row featured storage cubbies and cupholders, with bottle holders in all four side doors. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience, allowing easy access to the passenger or cargo compartment without needing to free up a hand.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology offerings varied by trim. The LX trim featured traditional analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and six speakers. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. Additional features included Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication with rear passengers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with touchscreen control and device mirroring capability. The SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa was standard across all trims. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi wireless phone charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available on XLE and above trims. The Sienna's instrument panel featured a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch color head-up display available on Platinum models. Limited and Platinum trims offered a digital rearview mirror, enhancing rear visibility.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning with collision avoidance, lane-departure, -keeping, and -centering assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The HDA technology, a Level 2 driving aid, paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Starting with SX trim, the Carnival included a surround-view camera system, with a Blind View Monitor exclusive to the SX Prestige. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured Toyota's Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and several LATCH child-seat connectors. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, along with tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit. The spare tire location was changed for safety and convenience.