2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional robust and athletic styling. The SUV featured a redesigned grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern appearance akin to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder. However, the interior remained somewhat dated, with a mix of modern tech upgrades and older design elements. The leather seating was comfortable, but the use of abstract patterned hard plastic and rouched materials detracted from the overall aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival introduced a fresh design with unique elements for each trim level. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included features like simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails. The EX trim offered a mirrored grid-pattern grille and 19-inch machined-finish wheels, while the SX trim added black wheels and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's design was sharp and angular, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a stylish dashboard and centre console, offering an upscale look even in base trims.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. Paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered automatic 4WD and a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms. Despite its size and weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader with a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 cm of ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an estimated 15.4 L/100 km combined.

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 towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine provided smooth acceleration, and the Carnival offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. Fuel efficiency was better than the Armada, with an average of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. The Carnival's handling was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality with its full-size SUV design, featuring standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The interior was spacious, with 10-way power-adjustable front seats and optional second-row captain's chairs. However, the third-row seating was less comfortable for adults, and cargo space was below average for the segment. The Armada provided 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,692 litres with all seats folded. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for petite individuals.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and an Ottoman-style leg rest. The Carnival's third-row seating was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area was spacious, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 4,110 litres. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with features like navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the analog gauges and basic steering wheel controls felt outdated compared to other SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of tech features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on the LX trim. Higher trims included 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 and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's tech was intuitive, though the extensive features required time to set up and learn.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist. The NHTSA gave the Armada a three-star rollover rating due to its 23.7-percent rollover risk.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of review.