2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its rugged and aggressive exterior styling, a testament to its long-standing design lineage. Despite its decade-old body shell, the GX's spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights gave it a distinctive look that appealed to SUV enthusiasts. However, the interior did not match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials. The semi-aniline leather was a redeeming feature, but overall, the interior felt dated.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival presented a fresh and unique design for its model year. Each trim level offered distinct design elements, with the EX trim boasting a mirrored grid-pattern grille and 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels. The Carnival's SUV styling cues, such as the floating roof design and simulated skid plates, added to its appeal. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and centre console reminiscent of a crossover, providing an upscale look even in the base trim.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's hefty weight of 2,349 kilograms made high-speed maneuvers challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capabilities, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a low-range 4WD system, and various off-road drive modes. It also offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival's V6 provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. While the Smart mode occasionally delayed downshifts, switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness. The Carnival's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 10.8 L/100 km during testing. The front-wheel-drive setup offered a taut and athletic driving experience, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The interior of the 2021 Lexus GX reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high centre console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. Despite these drawbacks, the GX offered excellent outward visibility due to its boxy profile. The three-row seating configuration provided space for seven passengers, but the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim featured 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 ample space, with 1,139 litres behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats expanded cargo capacity to 2,460 litres, and removing the second-row seats created a massive 4,110 litres of space. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently triggered.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with a standard 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and the infotainment system's graphics felt outdated. The analog controls provided a refreshing alternative to touchscreen-centric interfaces, but the overall tech offering was limited for a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of technology features. The base LX trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation and wireless smartphone charging. The EX+ and SX trims added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's tech was intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended to fully utilize its features.

The 2021 Lexus GX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted an extensive list of safety features and advanced driving assistance systems. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating.