2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from the typical minivan. While it lacked an off-road package, its distinctive design, upscale interior, and advanced technology made it a compelling choice. The Carnival came in various trims, with the SX Prestige offering a luxurious feel, thanks to features like Astra Blue paint and a Rear Seat Entertainment Package. The minivan's exterior boasted high-tech lighting and intricate grille designs, while the interior impressed with dual screens and quality materials, providing a sophisticated driving experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV maintained a familiar shape to its ICE counterpart but introduced sleeker lines and a more mature appearance. The EV's design featured a body-colored C-pillar, a sleeker grille, and LED light bars, enhancing its modern look. The Equinox EV offered vibrant color options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," adding a youthful touch. Inside, the Equinox EV provided a choice of interior colors, with sporty options available for higher trims. The cabin's design and color choices contributed to a stylish and contemporary feel.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered driving modes like Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival's powertrain provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. However, the lack of AWD and hybrid options limited its versatility in adverse weather conditions. The Carnival's brakes performed well in most situations, though they showed signs of fading during a mountain descent.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV offered a hands-free start feature and a choice between single-motor FWD and dual-motor AWD configurations. The FWD variant produced 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD version delivered 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox EV boasted impressive range figures, with the FWD model achieving 319 miles and the AWD version 285 miles. It supported DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, allowing for quick recharging. The Equinox EV's ride was comfortable, and it offered various driving modes, including one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior design deviated from the typical minivan layout, offering a lower driving position and an SUV-like center console. It featured three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige trim offering genuine leather. The Carnival's interior included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a three-zone climate control system. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row provided comfort but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was spacious, and the Carnival offered ample cargo capacity behind it, with a smart power liftgate for easy access.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV's interior featured heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and available front-seat ventilation and heated rear seats. The Equinox EV provided generous headroom and legroom, with a comfortable cabin layout. The AutoSense power liftgate opened to reveal 26.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 57.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. While its cargo volume was slightly lower than some competitors, the Equinox EV offered roof rails for additional storage options.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige impressed with its 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 mediocre, and the voice recognition system had limitations. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, though teenagers preferred their own devices.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a driver-oriented cockpit with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, providing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, offering navigation, route planning, and access to public charging stations. The Equinox EV's technology package was comprehensive, enhancing the driving experience with advanced connectivity features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a range 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 used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, while the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The Carnival's Highway Driving Assist technology provided semi-autonomous driving assistance, proving accurate and reliable. The IIHS named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though the NHTSA had not yet conducted crash tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, and more. Additional safety features included rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. GM's Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed alerts and monitor driving behavior. Super Cruise, a hands-free highway-driving assist system, was available on higher trims, enhancing the Equinox EV's safety and convenience.