2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The interior received upgrades with perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, giving it a more luxurious feel. The Odyssey's design tweaks aimed to reduce brightwork, making it a more refined choice for minivan enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival was entirely new, boasting unique design elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and silver-painted 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish wheels, and simulated open-pore wood trim. The SX trim added black wheels and VIP Lounge Seats, enhancing its premium appeal. The Carnival's SUV styling cues, such as simulated skid plates and a floating roof design, contributed to its modern and appealing look, making it a standout in the minivan segment.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless power, aided by variable cylinder management for improved fuel efficiency. The Odyssey's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put it at a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a new 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used. The Carnival's fuel consumption matched the Odyssey's at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's front-wheel-drive setup provided a taut and athletic feel, with flat cornering and minimal tire noise. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms, adding to its versatility.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a practical interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, with heated front seats and mirrors standard in Canada. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome, limiting maximum cargo volume.

The 2022 Kia Carnival prioritized practicality with its 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 Ottoman-style leg rests. The Carnival's third-row seats were comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area provided 1,139 litres of space, expandable to 4,110 litres with seats removed. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. 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 a touchscreen interface.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim. The LX trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation and wireless charging. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was generally intuitive, but setting it up required time and effort.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though its adaptive cruise control could be smoother.

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 blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were pending.