2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more muscular and imposing presence for this compact SUV. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille, flanked by narrow, angled LED headlamps and separate LED daytime running lights. Functional forward air vents and active grille shutters contributed to a lower coefficient of drag, despite the vehicle's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was simplified to a few core colours, with additional two-tone options available on the Platinum grade. Inside, seating surfaces varied from cloth to semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim, with the Platinum model offering a particularly upscale interior.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, entirely new for its model year, showcased unique design elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ 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, textured metal dashboard trim, and real leather, with VIP Lounge Seats as a standout feature. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, with a tall hood visible from the driver’s seat. Despite its minivan roots, the Carnival's design was sharply angular and conservatively tasteful, earning it high praise in its segment.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. This engine improved performance and fuel efficiency over its predecessor, with a curb weight ranging from 1,536 to 1,653 kilograms depending on the trim. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, though no alternate powertrain was available. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with figures of 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model. The Rogue's handling was enhanced by a 27% improvement in torsional rigidity and a revamped suspension system, providing a stable and planted road feel.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine offered smooth and effortless acceleration, with driving modes including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 L/100 km combined, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's front-wheel-drive setup provided a taut and athletic driving experience, though it could feel stiff over certain road surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all trims, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats and a steering wheel, with upgrades available for additional comfort and convenience. The cargo space was generous, with a redesigned Divide and Hide system offering up to 2,064 litres of space with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with eight-passenger seating and versatile second-row configurations. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and an Ottoman-style leg rest. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area was spacious, offering 1,139 litres behind the third row and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The SV grade added a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports, while the Platinum grade featured a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and a Bose audio system. The head-up display was a highlight, though the digital instrument cluster's graphics were less user-friendly.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX offering an 8-inch touchscreen and the EX+ and SX featuring a 12.3-inch widescreen system. The EX+ and SX trims also included a digital instrument cluster and a Bose audio system. The Carnival's tech was generally intuitive, though a comprehensive guide was recommended for setup and use.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, with features like forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning. The SV model added ProPILOT Assist for highway driving. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with improvements made to later models.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, while the EX+ featured a surround-view camera system. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.