2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly spacious and commanding driving experience. Its upright design provided a clear view of the road, and the headlight design, though intricate, seamlessly integrated with the grille. While not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its dynamic on-road capabilities. The red accents around the wheel centres added a sporty touch, complementing its overall cohesive design. Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward and intuitive layout, with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of more upscale brands. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the centre stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival presented a fresh design approach, setting itself apart with unique elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch wheels, and simulated leather. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them with character lines, maintaining a sleek look. The Carnival's design was angular and tasteful, earning it accolades for its standout appearance in the segment.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a more potent 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided brisk acceleration and ample power for highway driving, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, offering a driving experience akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While AWD and electrified options were unavailable, the Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kg. The V6 engine delivered smooth and effortless acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating seamlessly. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Sport mode addressing delayed downshift responses. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 L/100 km, with real-world testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's handling was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided impressive cargo space, with 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. It featured numerous storage compartments, including large cubbies and bottle holders for front passengers, and ample rear-seat space with generous head- and legroom.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, designed as a practical minivan, offered versatile seating and cargo configurations. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating, with a flexible second-row bench seat. The SX trim included luxurious VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and Ottoman-style leg rests. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area provided 1,139 litres of space, expandable to 2,460 litres with the third-row seats folded. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo volume to 4,110 litres, though reinstallation required care.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured a range of infotainment options, with the LX and EX trims offering an 8-inch touchscreen and a 3.5-inch digital screen in the instrument panel. The EX Premium and SX Turbo trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch digital display. The SX Turbo also included a Bose premium sound system. While the infotainment system was intuitive, some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB, were noted.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology offerings varied by trim. The LX trim included analog gauges with a digital driver information centre and an 8-inch touchscreen. Starting with EX+ trim, the Carnival featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless charging, and a Passenger View camera. The EX+ and SX trims added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with the SX also including a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the extensive technology features.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. In Canada, the base LX trim included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features, such as collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted an extensive list of safety features and ADAS. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, active blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The EX+ trim and above included a surround-view camera system and Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.