Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Kia Carnival

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile, reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle's interior boasted high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival relied on its distinctive style, unique interior fittings, and impressive technology to stand out in the minivan category. The Carnival came in LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims, with base prices ranging from $33,100 to $46,200, plus a destination charge. The SX Prestige trim featured eight-passenger seating as standard, with the second-row VIP Lounge Seats available as a no-cost option. The Carnival's exterior was marked by high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, while the interior boasted dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and flashy dashboard trim. The Carnival's interior materials were of high quality, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, which included a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system was also standard, offering height adjustability for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could handle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

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. The Carnival offered front-wheel drive and driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. It had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 22 mpg in combined driving. The V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the Carnival's brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, although they performed well in other driving situations. The Carnival offered a firm, sporty ride quality, with a softer ride when fully loaded. Overall, the Carnival was satisfying to drive, though the Honda Odyssey was noted to be more athletic.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, space in the front row was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer offered 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, the cargo space was 94.2 cubic feet, less than some competitors. The vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, while not resembling a typical minivan, offered a unique driving experience with a lower driving position and SUV-like center console arrangement. The Carnival featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather available in the SX Prestige trim. The test vehicle had a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added convenience, although the latter limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without the VIP Lounge Seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 145.1 cubic feet. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with USB ports and cupholders available. The smart power liftgate revealed a deep well with 40.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, ideal for sports equipment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot for up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which included Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto. While the system offered over-the-air updates, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, mounted side-by-side under a single piece of glass. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. The test vehicle's 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, although teenagers preferred their own devices.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and intersection collision assist. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features added as you moved up the trim levels. Standard features included 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 EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The IIHS named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, although the NHTSA had not yet performed crash tests.