2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Lexus GX

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 front and rear 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.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX embraced a bold, geometric design, moving away from the softer lines of its predecessor. The new model featured a more aggressive front fascia with a less pronounced spindle grille and standard triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's design was characterized by a flat hood with raised sides for better off-road visibility and a solid, block-like profile. The interior was minimalist yet sophisticated, with fewer physical buttons and a focus on essential controls. The GX offered a comfortable and spacious cabin for front and second-row passengers, though the third row was best suited for children.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Carnival's powertrain provided up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity and was EPA-rated at 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite its lack of all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Carnival's V6 engine performed well, even with a full load of passengers. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a steep descent, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The 2024 Lexus GX, on the other hand, transitioned from a V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX offered a stiffer chassis for improved stability both on and off-road. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive with a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential. The Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential and advanced suspension technology for enhanced off-road capability. The GX demonstrated impressive acceleration and braking performance, though its weight required caution during long descents.

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 on 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 second row provided luxury but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without these seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet, rivaling larger SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2024 Lexus GX's interior was more minimalist and sophisticated, with a focus on essential controls. It provided ample space for front and second-row passengers, with 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 36.7 inches in the second row. The third row, however, was tight and best suited for children. The GX excelled in cargo capacity, offering 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 76.9 cubic feet. The Overtrail models provided even more space, with 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.5 cubic feet in total.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured dual 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 a complimentary one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. 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 Lexus GX boasted a 14-inch touchscreen integrated into the center of the dash, with USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad for front-seat passengers. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Drive Connect and Remote Connect subscription services. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo available on higher trims. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, the subscription costs for certain features after the initial trial period were a consideration for long-term ownership.

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 were notable features, enhancing safety for passengers. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and reliable semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Carnival was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year, though the NHTSA had not yet performed crash tests.

The 2024 Lexus GX received significant upgrades in safety features, with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 now standard. This included pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign recognition. The proactive driving assist feature added an extra layer of safety during highway driving. While the GX had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, the modern GA-F architecture and advanced safety systems inspired confidence in its safety offerings.