2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new grille and front bumper, along with standard LED headlights across all trims, gave it a refreshed look. The addition of a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights and new wheel designs for the top trims further enhanced its aesthetic. The Odyssey was available in five trims, with prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, featured perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and new tri-color floor mats, elevating its interior luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival offered distinct design elements for each trim, with the LX featuring a standard grille and 17-inch wheels. The EX trim introduced more paint options, 19-inch wheels, and simulated leather. The SX trim replaced the grille with a mirrored design and added black wheels. The SX Prestige focused on interior upgrades, including VIP Lounge Seats and a textured metal dashboard. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included skid plates, a floating roof, and a robust roof rack, making it stand out in the minivan segment. Its angular design was considered more appealing compared to its competitors, and the interior continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and console.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth power delivery and included driving modes like Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel-saving technology allowed it to achieve an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, with a tested average of 21.8 mpg. However, it lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage compared to competitors. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a new 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most used despite delayed downshifts. The Carnival achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, with a tested average of 21.7 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive tires. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces, and the ride was occasionally bouncy or wobbly.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey provided ample interior space with logical controls and storage options. The Elite trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Kia Carnival emphasized practicality with its SUV-style design. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle seat for flexible configurations. The SX Prestige offered VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The third-row seats provided ample space, and the cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 86.9 cubic feet of space, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 145.1 cubic feet. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with the EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi, and a CabinWatch interior camera. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless charging. HondaLink subscription services offered additional features like remote operation and concierge services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it lacked touchscreen capability.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen system with wired smartphone integration, navigation, and wireless charging. Passenger View and Passenger Talk features enhanced communication with rear passengers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with streaming apps and voice control. The SX Prestige included a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide for its technology, which was generally intuitive to use.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing on all trims, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS, with top ratings from the NHTSA except for rollover resistance. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot monitoring. EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist provided additional safety measures. The surround-view camera system and Blind View Monitor on the SX Prestige enhanced visibility. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.