2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the signature kidney grille to the body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-coloured trims and unique styling elements. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for an overuse of black plastic. The M Sport models offered additional aggressive styling cues, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival presented a fresh design approach, setting itself apart with unique elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a mirrored grid-pattern grille and 19-inch machined-finish wheels. The SX trim added black wheels and VIP Lounge Seats, enhancing its luxurious appeal. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included simulated skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite its minivan roots, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, making it a standout in its segment. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a stylish dashboard and centre console, offering an upscale feel even in base trims.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kWh battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 km of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were criticized for lacking the connected drive experience typical of BMW, with dynamics more akin to a Lincoln. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the xDrive45e rated at 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 km when using both electricity and gas.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kg. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating unobtrusively. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, delayed downshift response was noted in certain driving conditions. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 km combined, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The front-wheel-drive Carnival was praised for its athletic feel and flat cornering stance, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard on longer journeys. The rear seats were suitable for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The cargo area was spacious without the third row, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making access to the second row less convenient.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with an SUV-style dashboard and centre console. Most trims offered eight-passenger seating, with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and an Ottoman-style leg rest. These seats were a highlight, though they limited maximum cargo volume. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Carnival's rear cargo area was spacious, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats increased capacity to 4,110 litres, surpassing many SUVs.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, premium audio systems, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimatization but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim featured analog gauges with a digital driver information centre and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. From EX+ trim, the Carnival offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. It also included navigation, wireless charging, and eight speakers. The EX+ and SX trims added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though a comprehensive quick reference guide was provided for setup and learning.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a robust array of safety features and ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist provided additional safety measures. The EX+ trim featured a surround-view camera system and a Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of review.