2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from the typical minivan. It featured a distinctive design with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, which contributed to its upscale image. The SX Prestige trim, in particular, offered a sophisticated interior with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality materials that enhanced the overall aesthetic. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained practicality with its spacious interior and advanced technology, making it a compelling choice for families seeking a modern minivan.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S exuded a subtle yet luxurious appeal. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to sport the Type S badge, featuring chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the MDX Type S boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package, creating a refined atmosphere. However, some design elements, such as the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, posed usability challenges. Despite these minor drawbacks, the MDX Type S remained an attractive luxury SUV with a focus on comfort and style.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This front-wheel-drive minivan offered a satisfying driving experience with its Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. While it lacked all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain, the Carnival provided ample power and a smooth transmission, making it enjoyable to drive. However, its brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, though they performed well in other situations. The Carnival's ride quality was firm yet sporty, with a softer feel when fully loaded, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), offered impressive performance. The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, with issues such as an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. Its fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg in combined driving, making it less efficient than expected.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with three types of upholstery and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The SX Prestige trim featured genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats provided convenience and comfort, though they limited cargo capacity to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was suitable for adults, with USB ports and cupholders, while the cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row. The Carnival's maximum cargo capacity reached 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided a functional interior with three rows of seats and a cargo area with ample floor space. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat offered flexibility with a removable center section, while the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo area featured a hands-free liftgate and a sizable underfloor storage bin, accommodating 18.1 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row and up to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. Despite its practicality, the MDX's interior design prioritized style over storage space, limiting its overall functionality.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect Ultimate connected services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre, and the native voice recognition system had limitations. 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, though it failed to engage teenage passengers, who preferred their own devices.

The 2023 Acura MDX boasted a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment system required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI), which proved less intuitive than traditional touchscreens. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, enhancing its connectivity. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality, while the Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display. Despite these features, the TTI's design limited storage space and usability, detracting from the overall technology experience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System added unique safety features, while the Junction Turning Detection system and Highway Driving Assist provided advanced semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2022, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating. The NHTSA had not yet tested the Carnival at the time of review.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured the Acura Watch suite of safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. While the latest Acura Watch systems were more refined, some issues persisted, such as false lane-departure notifications and a collision warning triggered by an overhead sign. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection.