2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, largely due to its distinctive boxy design that harkened back to the classic LR4. This design choice resonated with customers, leading to the Defender outselling the Land Rover Discovery by a significant margin. The Defender's aesthetic was defined by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail that gave it a classic truck appearance. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel and tire mounted to the hatch. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering a range of options for consumers.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with an interior that was largely coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist stains and wick moisture. Despite its high price point, the interior was basic and barren, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. However, this simplicity was part of the Defender's charm, as it retained its hardcore character and stood out against the more luxurious Range Rover models. The build quality and fit were excellent, but the high cost of the Defender, particularly the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was seen as excessive by some. Nevertheless, the Defender remained a popular choice, with around 20,000 units sold annually.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, offered a unique blend of style, technology, and practicality that set it apart from traditional minivans. The Carnival's design was more akin to an SUV, with a visible hood and a lower driving position, giving it a distinct feel from the driver's seat. The interior was equipped with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, adding a touch of sophistication, while the dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light. The Carnival's interior materials were of high quality, preventing it from looking or feeling cheap, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

The Carnival was available in four trims—LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige—with prices ranging from $33,100 to $46,200. The SX Prestige trim, which we tested, featured extra-cost Astra Blue paint, floor mats, and a Rear Seat Entertainment Package, bringing the total MSRP to $49,285. The Carnival's interior was designed to be both stylish and functional, with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. However, some controls were awkwardly placed, requiring drivers to look away from the road to use them. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Carnival's upscale image and impressive technology made it a compelling choice for consumers.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with features like incredible wheel articulation, generous clearance, and a Terrain Response 2 system that adapted the vehicle's powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. The Defender's permanent four-wheel drive and air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any path, although most owners were unlikely to use these capabilities to their full extent. On the road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The V8 model, with its 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, offered impressive acceleration, but the vehicle's top-heavy design made it feel unwieldy.

The Defender's engine options included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, both of which provided ample power. The V8 was particularly noteworthy, allowing the Defender to keep up with a V8 Jaguar F-Type. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, with seamless engine start-stop functionality. The Defender's fuel economy varied depending on the engine, with the V8 returning a poor 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder achieved 18/23/20 mpg.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Carnival's powertrain was EPA-rated to achieve 22 mpg in combined driving and offered a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The Carnival's driving modes—Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport—allowed drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences. While the Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain, its V6 engine provided plenty of power, even with a full load of passengers.

The Carnival's brakes were generally reliable, although they did experience some fade during a mountain descent. The minivan's ride quality was firm and sporty with only the driver aboard, but softened when fully loaded. The Carnival's performance was satisfying overall, with the Honda Odyssey offering a slightly more athletic driving experience, but the Carnival outperformed the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90, with its optional jump seat, could seat six passengers, while the 110 and 130 models offered additional seating options. The Defender 130, in particular, provided a standard third row for up to eight passengers, complete with a separate moonroof, air vents, cupholders, USB ports, and armrests. The Defender's large glass windows and optional panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility, while the vehicle's cargo space varied depending on the model and seating configuration.

The Defender 130 offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row and second row folded, while the 90 and 110 models provided varying amounts of cargo space depending on the seating arrangement. The Defender's versatility extended to its off-road capabilities, with options for off-road or all-season tires, a metal roof rack, and various accessories like a console refrigerator, heated windshield, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, meanwhile, offered a unique blend of SUV-like design and minivan functionality. The Carnival's interior was available with three types of upholstery, including cloth, artificial leather, and genuine leather. The SX Prestige trim featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added to its appeal, although the latter limited cargo space and accessibility to the third row.

The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, with USB ports and cupholders for added convenience. The minivan's cargo capacity was impressive, with 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row and a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Carnival's smart power liftgate and storage compartments further enhanced its practicality, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with options for a 10-inch or 11.4-inch screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation. The Defender's base model came with manual fabric seats and a basic stereo, while higher trims offered heated power seats, a Meridian stereo, and additional features like fog lights, auto-dimming mirrors, and cooled front seats. The X trim added air suspension, a locking rear differential, and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige test vehicle boasted 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a presentation similar to a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation featured lush graphics and dynamic imagery, while the infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. The Carnival's tech package also included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision, although the rear-seat entertainment system was less popular with teenagers.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but it received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. The Defender was equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came 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 Carnival's rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System added to its safety credentials. The EX trim introduced Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim added a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Carnival was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for 2022, although its standard headlights received a Poor rating.