2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models, yet with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outdoor XT trim offered a unique touch with water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, adding a playful yet practical element. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced adaptive LED headlights as standard and a new brown paint option, while still embodying the essence of a lifted wagon, making it a compelling alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival presented a fresh and unique design for each trim level, with the LX and LX+ featuring a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The EX trim offered a more refined look with a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish wheels, and simulated leather. The SX trim added black wheels and VIP Lounge Seats, enhancing the Carnival's luxurious appeal. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included simulated skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, while cleverly integrating sliding door tracks with character lines. Its sharp, angular design stood out in the minivan segment, offering a more upscale and stylish alternative to its competitors. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and centre console, exuding a sense of sophistication even in its base trim.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was marked by its two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. However, this engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded, resulting in sluggish acceleration and noise. The XT trims offered a significant upgrade with a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a smoother and more powerful driving experience. Despite the turbo engine's slightly higher fuel consumption, it was a worthwhile investment for those seeking better performance. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and advanced all-wheel-drive system, making it a reliable choice for various terrains.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with a solid and robust shifter enhancing the driving experience. The Carnival offered multiple driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used, although it occasionally exhibited delayed downshifts. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with a combined consumption of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. The front-wheel-drive Carnival delivered a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces. Overall, the Carnival's performance was impressive for a vehicle of its size, offering a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of obstructions, and the seats provided ample headroom and legroom. Visibility was excellent, aided by thin pillars and large windows. The Outback featured practical storage solutions, including large door pockets and a handy front centre console. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The standout feature was the integrated roof rails with crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings for those needing additional cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with its minivan design offering versatile seating and cargo options. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating, with a flexible second-row bench seat. The SX trim introduced VIP Lounge Seats, providing a luxurious experience with power adjustments and leg rests. The Carnival's cargo area was spacious, with 1,139 litres behind the third row and 2,460 litres with the third row folded. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could be inadvertently activated. The Carnival's interior was thoughtfully designed, with ample storage and a user-friendly layout, making it an ideal choice for families needing space and flexibility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The system included standard features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but the dual-screen setup on the base model was less cohesive. Subaru EyeSight was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, although it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a more advanced technology suite, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on the LX trim, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless charging, and a Passenger View camera. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide for its technology, ensuring users could fully utilize the Carnival's features, which were generally intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, demonstrating its commitment to safety.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered an extensive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist provided additional safety measures. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.