2023 Volkswagen ID.4 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 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 made subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. The ID.4, based on VW's MEB platform, was easily distinguishable as an EV but lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance. Its interior carried over the minimalist design and quality feel from VW's gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery and recycled fiber inserts. The ID.4's design was more about practicality and efficiency, with a focus on interior space and functionality rather than traditional SUV aesthetics.

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 offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 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, there was a consistent delayed downshift response in Smart mode, particularly noticeable when accelerating after a curve or hill. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 22 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff and bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base Standard and S models with RWD, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models with RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version offered acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks but lacked the handling prowess. The regenerative braking system allowed coasting in its default setting, with a more aggressive "B" setting for increased energy recovery, but it did not support one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was a practical minivan with an SUV-style design, offering various seating configurations and features. The LX trim had individual captain's chairs in the second row, with an optional middle seat for added flexibility. The EX and SX trims featured an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, while the SX Prestige offered power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with leather upholstery. The Carnival provided ample cargo space, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally. The Carnival's interior was spacious, with a deep storage well and the ability to fold the third-row seats for additional cargo space.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with generous front and rear legroom and headroom. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. The ID.4's towing capacity was 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models, offering some capability for light towing. The interior featured a conventional center console lid, improved phone storage, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats. The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 enhanced functionality and practicality.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim level. The LX trim featured analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. 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. It also included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and eight speakers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with touchscreen control and device mirroring. The SX Prestige featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended for setup and learning.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring software updates for improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system offered sharp graphics, smartphone-like icons, and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback. The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, 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 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 had a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4's standard driver-assist features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. The 2023 model added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.