2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line package, presented a rugged and stylish appearance. It featured rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, which added a sense of purpose to its already attractive design. Our test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, came with all-wheel drive as standard and additional features like Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather, bringing the total MSRP to $45,310. Despite the high price, the Sorento exuded quality, from its leather upholstery to the solid feel of its transmission shifter. The cabin reflected rock-solid construction, with impressive attention to design detail, even in the base LX model.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival relied on its distinctive style, unique interior fittings, and impressive technology to stand out in the minivan category. The Carnival came in various trims, with our test vehicle in SX Prestige trim, featuring Astra Blue paint and a Rear Seat Entertainment Package, totaling $49,285. The Carnival's design conveyed an upscale image, with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. Inside, the dual instrumentation and infotainment screens added sophistication, while the dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light. The interior materials were of high quality, and the transmission shifter's solid action imparted a sense of quality.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which took nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. However, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, available from the EX trim, delivered 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, making it more enjoyable to drive. With the turbo engine, the Sorento could accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission provided a snappy and energetic feel. Despite the X-Line's raised suspension, the Sorento handled like a sports sedan, with excellent body motion control and communication. However, its fuel economy was lower than expected, averaging 20.7 mpg during the test.

The 2023 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and was EPA-rated at 22 mpg in combined driving. The Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated flawlessly. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty with a single occupant but softened with a full load of passengers.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with a 14-way power driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable and designed for kids, with cupholders, USB ports, and rear air conditioning vents. However, the third-row seat was cramped and uncomfortable for adults, making it better suited for occasional use. The Sorento offered 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 75.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The smart power tailgate added convenience when loading cargo.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior resembled an SUV, with a lower driving position and a center console similar to those found in SUVs. It offered three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige featuring genuine leather. The Carnival's three-zone automatic climate control system and heated and ventilated front seats added comfort. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row were luxurious but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, with USB ports and cupholders. The smart power liftgate revealed 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with the option to remove the second-row seats for a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. However, the system required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX Prestige X-Line included a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging was standard from the EX trim. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the voice recognition system was less effective than Hyundai's.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's SX Prestige trim boasted 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a sophisticated presentation. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the Bose audio system was mediocre, and the voice recognition system was only partly successful. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities but was underutilized by teenagers.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came with Kia Drive Wise, offering a range of safety features depending on the trim level. The SX Prestige X-Line included a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Carnival featured a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with additional features available on higher trims. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System added extra safety measures. The EX trim introduced Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim added a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2022, but the NHTSA had not yet tested it.