2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its large, shiny, and impressive design. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, it stood out with its premium styling, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir offered a luxurious experience with its organic forms, minimalist controls, and polished accents. The leather upholstery, though not genuine wood, added a touch of elegance, while the electronic transmission shifter, though initially fussy, became intuitive with use.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival introduced a fresh design with unique elements for each trim. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included features like simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails. The EX trim offered a mirrored grid-pattern grille and machined-finish wheels, while the SX trim added black wheels and VIP Lounge Seats. Inside, the Carnival's dashboard and centre console resembled a crossover more than a minivan, with a focus on style and practicality. The VIP Lounge Seats, with their Ottoman-style leg rests, were a standout feature, though they limited cargo space when in use.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Essence trim in Canada, while all-wheel drive was available on higher trims. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) when properly equipped. Its acceleration was strong, and the ride was smooth, thanks to the premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving, with a range of over 900 kilometres on a single tank.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival was front-wheel drive only, with no all-wheel drive or electrified options. It had a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, and the Carnival felt athletic with a flat cornering stance. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 L/100 km in combined driving, and the Carnival averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing, including idling time.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with massage functions, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was roomy, and cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,642 litres with the third row folded, and 2,764 litres with the second row down.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, while a minivan, offered SUV-like practicality. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leg rests. The Carnival's cargo area was spacious, with 1,139 litres behind the third row and 2,460 litres with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo volume to 4,110 litres, though the seats were heavy and required careful reinstallation.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. However, it lacked the screen size and audio quality found in competitors. The Avenir trim offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim. The LX trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX+ trim and above boasted a 12.3-inch widescreen system with navigation and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The SX trim included a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's tech was intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lacked advanced driver assistance technologies.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.