2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

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 feel of the vehicle. 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 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was a testament to its long-standing reputation as a large, capable SUV. Its massive dimensions, stretching nearly 19 feet in length, made it a dominant presence on the road. The Suburban's design was familiar yet imposing, blending seamlessly into traffic despite its size. Inside, it offered a comfortable cabin with ample space for passengers and cargo, making it ideal for families needing extra room. The Suburban's interior featured leather upholstery in higher trims, and while it provided a comfortable ride, it lacked the luxurious feel expected at its price point. Overall, the Suburban was a practical choice for those prioritizing space and towing capacity.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This front-wheel-drive minivan offered a smooth driving experience with its eight-speed automatic transmission and selectable driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival's powertrain provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and achieved an EPA-rated 22 mpg in combined driving. However, the lack of all-wheel drive and a hybrid option limited its versatility in adverse weather conditions. Despite a one-time braking issue during testing, the Carnival's brakes generally performed well, and its ride quality was firm yet comfortable, making it a satisfying vehicle to drive.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower. The 5.3-liter V8 was the most common, providing a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8 offered more effortless acceleration, while the diesel engine delivered better fuel economy and cost savings. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and its electronic button-style shift mechanism freed up space in the center console. With rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive available, the Suburban handled well for its size, though drivers should expect some body roll due to its weight.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior was designed to resemble an SUV, with a visible hood and a lower driving position. It offered 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 its comfort. However, the placement of controls on the center console was distracting. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats provided convenience, but they limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without the VIP seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet, comparable to the Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for those needing ample storage capacity. The Suburban's interior featured a 28-gallon fuel tank, allowing for long highway drives between fill-ups. While the Suburban's cabin was comfortable, it lacked the luxurious feel expected at its price point. The SUV's size and cargo capacity made it ideal for families and road trips, especially when towing was a priority.

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, and a complimentary one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate 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 was not widely used by teenagers during testing.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen, standard on all but the base LS trim. The system included Google Built-in, wireless Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay, providing seamless integration with critical apps. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added twin touchscreens, enhancing long trips. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness expected from a premium sound system. While the Suburban's tech offerings were solid, the upcoming 2025 model year was expected to bring significant updates, making the 2024 model less appealing for tech enthusiasts.

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. The Carnival's Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and reliable semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet performed crash tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver feature. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving technology, as part of the Advanced Technology Package. Super Cruise provided hands-free driving on pre-mapped roads, enhancing the Suburban's safety and convenience.