2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was a subcompact SUV that drew inspiration from its larger sibling, the Blazer. It featured a stylish design with dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona’s stacked triple front lights and the Kia Soul’s two-tone paint schemes. The Activ trim added a rugged touch with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, and sport terrain tires. The interior boasted an excellent design with a well-thought-out control layout and useful storage, although it was marred by the presence of hard shiny plastic, which was less justifiable at higher price points.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival was a new entry in the minivan segment, offering a unique design that set it apart from its competitors. The Carnival featured SUV styling elements, such as simulated skid plates and a floating roof design. The EX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival’s design was angular and conservatively tasteful, making it a standout in its segment. Inside, the SUV theme continued with a dashboard and centre console reminiscent of a crossover, giving the Carnival an upscale appearance even in its base trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two engine options. The base model featured a turbocharged 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. Other versions, including the Activ AWD, came with a more powerful 1.3-litre 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Trailblazer’s performance was adequate for most driving conditions, though it struggled on steep inclines. It averaged 8.8 L/100 km in fuel economy, slightly below the official rating. The Trailblazer’s driving dynamics had quirks, such as a disconnected steering feel and suspension impact harshness over bumps.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 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 offered smooth and effortless acceleration, with driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. It averaged 10.8 L/100 km in fuel economy during testing. The Carnival’s handling was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces. Despite its minivan classification, the Carnival delivered a dynamic driving experience akin to a crossover.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a mix of cloth and leatherette seating options, with the latter being less comfortable due to its tendency to trap sweat. The front seats provided good support, but the rear seats were less accommodating, with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The Trailblazer’s cargo space was competitive, offering 716 litres with the seats up and 1,540 litres with them folded down. The front passenger seat could also fold down, providing over 2.5 metres of cargo length.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. The Carnival’s third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area was spacious, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats expanded it 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 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems, with the upgraded version featuring an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. The interface was intuitive, with physical controls for easy operation. The Bose sound system effectively masked road noise and wind.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim, while the EX+ trim and above featured a 12.3-inch widescreen system with navigation, wireless charging, and eight speakers. The SX trim included a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system. The Carnival’s technology was sophisticated, with features like a Passenger View camera and a digital instrument cluster. A quick reference guide was provided to help users navigate the extensive tech offerings.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with standard Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. It also offered optional features like blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like active blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also had 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.