2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Dodge Durango

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, was noted for its attractive Astra Blue paint and sophisticated interior, which included dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality materials that enhanced the overall feel of the vehicle. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered uninspired.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained a familiar yet attractive design, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles and opting for clean, car-like styling. The Durango's slim profile, forward-leaning headlights, and signature "racetrack" taillights gave it a distinctive look. The SRT models featured subtle yet unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango's interior, while not as distinctive as its exterior, offered a comfortable and well-equipped space, with options for luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats in higher trims.

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. It was front-wheel drive and offered driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds and an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, which were available in some of its competitors. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The brakes, while generally effective, experienced some fade during a mountain descent.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Durango also offered a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, and the SRT 392 model boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The SRT Hellcat model took performance to the extreme with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Durango's performance was impressive, especially in the SRT models, but its size made it somewhat awkward on twisty roads.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with a driving position and center console reminiscent of an SUV. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather available in the SX Prestige trim. The Carnival's three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated steering wheel added to the comfort. The VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim provided a luxurious experience but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without these seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet, surpassing even the Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench. The Citadel and SRT models featured second-row captain's chairs. The Durango offered competitive interior space compared to other midsize SUVs, with 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a sophisticated and visually appealing 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 considered mediocre. 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 not widely used by teenagers.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality in the SRT models. The Performance Pages app provided performance information, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist standard across all trims. The Carnival also offered a rear-seat reminder system, Safe Exit System, and Highway Driving Assist, which provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, but the NHTSA had not yet performed crash tests.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with top marks in some areas but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave the Durango a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert standard on all trims, but other features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were only standard on the Citadel.