2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from the typical minivan aesthetic. It offered 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, featuring 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 maintained practicality with features like smart sliding doors and a spacious cargo area.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed the traditional minivan image with a design inspired by a Japanese bullet train. It offered a range of trims, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition, and featured practical elements like power-sliding doors and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. The Sienna's interior was designed for functionality, with seating for seven or eight passengers and the ability to accommodate three-across car seats in the middle row, making it a smart choice for families.

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 offered a satisfying driving experience with multiple driving modes, although it lacked all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain option. The Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds. Despite these minor issues, the Carnival was enjoyable to drive, offering a firm and sporty ride quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors, producing a combined 245 horsepower. While the power output was less impressive compared to competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were praised for their nimbleness and ease of handling. The Sienna offered several driving modes, but the hybrid system's CVT was not the most pleasant-sounding. Despite its lackluster acceleration, the Sienna was fun to drive, especially in urban settings, thanks to its light steering and tight turning radius.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with a design that mimicked an SUV. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather available in the SX Prestige trim. The Carnival's interior was equipped with a three-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added to its appeal, although the latter limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without the VIP seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet, making it highly practical for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample cubbies, shelves, and bins. It provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The total cargo space was 101 cubic feet, although the middle row seats were not removable. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and adjustable tracks, allowing for comfortable seating and easy access to the third row. The Sienna's design maximized space, making it a practical choice for families needing ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured advanced technology with 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, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the Bose audio system was considered mediocre, and the voice recognition system had limitations. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision, enhancing the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna utilized an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included physical buttons, which were appreciated for their functionality, but the interface felt outdated and clunky. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality. Despite its older design, the Sienna's technology was reliable, although it lacked some of the more modern features found in newer Toyota models.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Carnival also offered unique features like a rear-seat reminder system and a Safe Exit System. Higher trims added advanced systems like Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, which provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although its standard headlights were rated poorly.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model. While it lacked some of the more gimmicky features found in competitors, the Sienna's safety systems were reliable and effective, making it a safe choice for families.