2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Kia Carnival

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 enhancements, including VIP Lounge Seats and real leather. The Carnival's SUV-like styling, with its tall hood and floating roof design, gave it a distinctive presence, despite the visible sliding door tracks. Inside, the Carnival's dashboard and seating arrangements resembled a crossover, offering an upscale feel even in the base trim. The interior color options, including the bold Tuscan Umber, added to its unique personality.

The 2023 Kia Telluride received fresh styling updates, including new front and rear designs, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The X-Line and X-Pro models added a touch of ruggedness with raised suspensions, unique grille designs, and all-terrain tires. The interior featured a digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, enhancing its modern appeal. The Telluride's interior updates included new colors, minor trim changes, and a more functional center console. The X-Line and X-Pro trims had their names embossed on the front seatbacks, adding a touch of exclusivity. The Telluride's spacious interior, premium Nappa leather upholstery, and advanced features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and power lumbar stabilization system made it a comfortable and tech-savvy choice.

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. It offered front-wheel drive and had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, there was a noticeable delay in downshifting when accelerating out of corners or on inclines. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 22 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt athletic and offered a flat cornering stance, but it could feel stiff over rough surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an available AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride's V6 engine provided ample power, and it achieved an average fuel economy of 24.1 mpg in the X-Line trim. The X-Pro trim, with its off-road capabilities, returned 20.4 mpg. The Telluride's suspension was raised, improving ground clearance and off-road performance. The X-Pro trim featured all-terrain tires and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, ground clearance, and stability. On highways, it offered a smooth and quiet ride, with some wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality with its minivan design, although the SUV-style dashboard and center console limited storage space compared to 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 offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, while the SX Prestige trim included power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with leather upholstery. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats increased capacity to 145.1 cubic feet. The Carnival's smart power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. The test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front and second-row captain's chairs. The Telluride's interior offered ample space, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second-row seats were equipped with manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seat provided more comfort than many midsize SUVs, although it couldn't match the Volkswagen Atlas for leg support. The Telluride's cargo space included 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The smart power tailgate with proximity-sensing added convenience for loading cargo.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim featured traditional analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. It also included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk for enhanced communication. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with touchscreen control and voice control capability. The SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. The voice recognition system performed well, although it couldn't adjust the climate control. The Kia Access app allowed remote control of some vehicle functions, and OTA updates kept the system current. The Telluride featured six USB charging ports, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. Upgrades included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and digital-key technology. The Full Display Mirror provided a video view of the rear, and the head-up display offered additional information. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, alerting drivers when traffic started moving.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, 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 system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, although it was found to be less effective in this evaluation. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim included a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige offered a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Safe Exit Assist system warned occupants when it wasn't safe to open the doors. The adaptive cruise control system could reduce speed based on navigation data, and the Intelligent Speed Limit Assist helped drivers adhere to speed limits. Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0 provided semi-autonomous driving assistance, with the latter adding Lane Change Assist. The SX trim included additional collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Telluride also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.