2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a surprising value proposition. Despite its reasonable price range of $26,850 to $39,950, the Santa Fe offered a level of quality and sophistication that seemed to exceed its cost. The redesigned front end, with new running lights, grille, and bumper, gave it a distinctive look, although the design was somewhat polarizing. Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures, and a bridge-style center console that housed various controls. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded luxury with its premium leather and panoramic sunroof, making it feel like a bargain at $43,590.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The Carnival's SUV-like styling, with features such as simulated skid plates and a floating roof design, gave it a robust appearance. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console that resembled a crossover more than a minivan. The SX Prestige trim offered VIP Lounge Seats with an Ottoman-style leg rest, adding a touch of luxury. However, the SUV-style design limited storage space compared to traditional minivans. Overall, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims. The hybrid version combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 hp. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine provided impressive performance, with a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, the transmission exhibited delayed downshift responses in certain situations. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, and it felt taut and athletic on the road. Despite occasional stiffness over uneven surfaces, the Carnival's handling was commendable.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample passenger space for those who didn't need a third-row seat. The interior featured dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric for cloth seats, with leather available on higher trims. The Calligraphy trim elevated the interior with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe offered comfortable seating with power adjustments and heated and ventilated options. The rear seat was spacious, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The cargo area provided 36.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with a flexible seating arrangement. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration. The SX Prestige trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The Carnival's cargo area was generous, with 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats could be removed for even more space, providing a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet. The Carnival's hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was equipped with advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The infotainment system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the 8-inch screen, while the 10.25-inch screen offered wired versions and enhanced voice recognition. The Harman Kardon surround-sound system provided excellent audio quality. Blue Link connected services were included for three years, offering features like remote engine start and climate control adjustment. However, the Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot, though it offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim. The LX trim featured analog gauges with a digital information center and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, navigation, and UVO Link connected services. The Carnival offered features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk for communication with rear passengers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a Bose surround-sound audio system. The technology was intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an impressive array of safety features. The forward-collision warning system included pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot monitoring to prevent unsafe door openings. The rear-occupant alert system was standard, with an ultrasonic version available. The Blind-Spot View Monitor provided video views of blind spots, and Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS with LED projector headlights, excelling in crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 driving aid, though its performance was mixed. The Carnival 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.