2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Genesis GV70

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 aesthetic. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained a practical approach with its spacious interior and advanced technology.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design and luxury-car style, offering a more streamlined look compared to its larger sibling, the GV80. The GV70's design included split headlights, a large shield-like grille, and distinctive wheel designs, which contributed to its luxury brand image. The interior was equally impressive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a unique dashboard design. The GV70 managed to balance SUV size with luxury style, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of elegance and functionality.

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 front-wheel-drive configuration and was EPA-rated at 22 mpg in combined driving. The Carnival provided a satisfying driving experience with its firm, sporty ride quality and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. However, it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, which could have enhanced its performance in adverse weather conditions. The brakes performed well under normal conditions but showed signs of fading during more demanding driving scenarios.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 horsepower. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower, with a Boost Mode providing 483 horsepower for short bursts. While the GV70 offered impressive straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning did not match the sportiness of some rivals. The ride quality was competent but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash over bumps rather than glide smoothly.

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 the SX Prestige trim offering genuine leather. The Carnival's interior included a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row provided comfort 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 many SUVs. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the smart power liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design included a rotary shifter, infotainment controller, and a curvaceous dashboard, though it sacrificed some small-item storage space. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing comfort during spirited driving.

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 deemed 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, though it was not widely used by teenagers during testing.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 came standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trim levels featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a rotary controller offering a high-quality feel. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob. The 16-speaker Lexicon audio system provided an immersive listening experience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was 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 used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, while the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The Highway Driving Assist technology provided semi-autonomous driving assistance, proving accurate and trustworthy. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2022, though the NHTSA had not performed crash tests at the time of review.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline GV70 a five-star overall safety rating for 2023, with four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for 2024. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.