2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance design cues. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. The RDX was not designed to be an off-road vehicle, as evidenced by the absence of oversized skid plates or bulging fender flares, making it clear that it was intended for daily driving and road trips. The interior of the RDX A-Spec mirrored its exterior with a sporty look, featuring quality materials, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and unique gauges. However, the red markings on a brushed silver background in the gauge cluster were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival, a new model for the year, offered a distinct design for each trim level. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and silver-painted 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels. The SX trim added black wheels and real leather, along with VIP Lounge Seats as a standout feature. The Carnival's design was angular and conservatively tasteful, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and centre console resembling a crossover, giving it an upscale appearance even in base trim.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered four driving modes: Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to adjust powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport or Sport+ mode were noted drawbacks. Despite these, the RDX A-Spec was praised for its broad torque curve, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used despite occasional delayed downshifts. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's handling was described as taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in higher trims. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. Cargo space measured 835 litres behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 1,668 litres when the rear seats were folded. Acura also quoted a maximum volume of 2,260 litres, though this was based on an unconventional measurement method.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, designed as a minivan, excelled in practicality. It offered eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though they limited maximum cargo volume. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Carnival provided 1,139 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of space, and removing the second-row seats increased capacity to 4,110 litres. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it improved upon Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which was highly praised.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, starting with the LX trim, offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Passenger View camera. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide for the technology, which was generally intuitive to use.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims added features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of publication.