2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more sophisticated look with 19-inch machined-finish wheels and simulated leather options. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, appealing to modern tastes. The SX Prestige trim focused on interior upgrades, including real leather and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-like styling, with its floating roof design and robust roof-rack, added to its appeal, making it a standout in the minivan segment. Inside, the Carnival's dashboard and seating arrangements resembled a crossover, offering an upscale feel even in the base trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S presented a more subtle yet luxurious appearance. The Type S badge marked its performance-oriented nature, with chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels enhancing its stance. The interior featured perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package, adding to its premium feel. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, detracted from its usability. Despite these minor flaws, the MDX Type S maintained an attractive luxury SUV presence, though it occasionally appeared less cohesive in its design execution.

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 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it occasionally exhibited delayed downshift responses, particularly noticeable on hills. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. Dynamically, it felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S featured various driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, and an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive performance experience. The transmission was indecisive, and the ride lacked compliance, resulting in squealing tires and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of its 19 mpg EPA rating. While it offered quick acceleration, the overall driving experience was marred by inconsistent performance and excessive fuel consumption.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with various seating configurations. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims added a middle seat for increased flexibility. The SX Prestige trim introduced VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leg rests, though they limited cargo space. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating with flexible configurations. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row seats offered sliding and tilting capabilities for easier third-row access, though the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the center console. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 71.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close functionality added convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LX trim. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and navigation. The Carnival also included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk for enhanced communication. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Despite the abundance of technology, the Carnival's tech was generally intuitive to use.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) instead of a touchscreen, which could be cumbersome to use. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In for voice control. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs. The MDX's top-tier audio system, the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D, delivered impressive sound quality, though the infotainment system's usability was hindered by the TTI design.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim introduced a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige trim added a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured Acura Watch, a suite of safety systems including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Certain trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received high safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX's safety systems occasionally issued false alerts, and the adaptive cruise control could be slow to resume speed.