2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Audi Q5

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 skid plates and a floating roof design, contributed to its appealing and upscale appearance, even in the base trim. The interior continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and center console, offering a stylish and upscale look.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a classy yet sporty appearance. Available in both the regular SUV and the Sportback with a sloping rear roofline, the Q5 stood out with its spoiler-like element above the taillights. Inside, the Q5 maintained a refined and simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system was a notable feature, though the Q5's materials and build quality, while good, were no longer as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The Q5's sturdy build ensured a quiet and comfortable ride, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, but offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, 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. Its dynamic performance was characterized by a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance and responsive handling, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices: the base 40 TFSI with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower, the midrange 45 TFSI with 261 hp, and the 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid with 362 hp. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The 45 TFSI engine, used in the Q5 Sportback, experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, affecting initial acceleration. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the Q5's handling was sporty and precise, instilling confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise, providing a calm and luxurious driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, despite its minivan roots, offered practical features with an SUV-style design. The LX trim included captain’s chairs with a center pass-through, while the EX and SX trims featured an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration. The SX Prestige trim boasted VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rearmost cargo area provided ample space. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival offered 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, and up to 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, with a well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional controls for climate and secondary functions. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar. The Q5 provided ample space for front and rear passengers, with only a slight reduction in headroom for the Sportback model. Storage options included several compartments, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback. While not the largest in its class, the Q5's cargo space was competitive, with practical storage solutions for everyday use.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX offering 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 within the vehicle. 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. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system took time to boot up, but the on-screen buttons were easy to use. Audi Connect Care allowed remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with a Wi-Fi hotspot included. Higher trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel, providing detailed information as needed. The Q5's technology package was competitive, though some features required a subscription after an initial trial period.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, 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. While crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review, the Carnival's safety features were extensive and designed to enhance driver and passenger protection.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist and a surround-view camera system, while the Prestige trim offered advanced features like matrix-design LED headlights and a head-up display. The Q5's safety package was comprehensive, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.