2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V presented a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs, which typically featured more traditional and intimidating designs. Its distinctive styling included unique window lines converging near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trims came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport model boasted matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain yet functional, with good material quality and fit. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L offered features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L adding leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with unique design elements across its trims. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and silver-painted 17-inch wheels, while the EX trim offered 19-inch machined-finish wheels and simulated open-pore wood trim. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige focused on cabin enhancements with VIP Lounge Seats and real leather. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and a robust roof-rack on higher trims. Its angular design was considered appealing, with a more upscale interior even in base trim, featuring a two-tone color scheme and various seating configurations.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available across all trims. However, the HR-V was often criticized for being underpowered, especially on highways, and the CVT was deemed ineffective. Despite this, the HR-V's chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. Its all-wheel-drive system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rough terrains, and it lacked towing capabilities.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating unobtrusively. The Carnival offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Sport mode addressing delayed downshift responses. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with a tested average of 21.7 mpg. It felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space for its size, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the seat folded down, it offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet with the seat up (23.2 cubic feet with AWD). It surpassed competitors like the Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Kona in cargo space, though the Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Cross offered more. The HR-V provided ample rear-seat legroom, leading the segment, while front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large climate control knobs and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was highly practical, with an SUV-style dashboard and center console. The LX trim featured individual captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle second-row seat. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, and the SX Prestige included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and an Ottoman-style leg rest. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area provided 40.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats in certain trims increased cargo volume to 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim included Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was functional, with two USB ports located conveniently ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was considered small, and competitors offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim featured analog gauges, a digital driver information center, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. It also included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide for the technology.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot warning. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim included a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige offered a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.