2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was a standout in the midsize SUV segment, boasting a design that was anything but mundane. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille gave it a distinctive presence. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its unique appeal. The Highlander XSE trim introduced a sportier look with a restyled front end, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a more aggressive appearance package. Inside, the Limited trim offered a luxurious experience with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and elegant wood details, making it a comfortable choice for families prioritizing luxury over sportiness.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival, a new entry for the model year, offered a fresh take on minivan design with SUV styling cues. Each trim level had unique design elements, with the EX trim featuring a mirrored grid-pattern grille and 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels. The SX trim added black wheels and real leather upholstery, along with the standout VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's design was angular and conservatively tasteful, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Inside, the SUV-inspired dashboard and centre console, along with Kia's attention to style, gave the Carnival an upscale feel even in its base trim.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high-speed thrills, the Highlander provided smooth and reliable performance, making it a solid choice for family transportation. Its powertrain was competitive with rivals like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, though it lagged behind the Ford Explorer ST in terms of performance. The XSE trim offered a slightly sportier driving experience with enhanced suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort and practicality.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a new 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options but offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The Carnival's engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart available. While Smart mode occasionally delayed downshifts, Sport mode improved responsiveness. The Carnival's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, and it delivered a dynamic driving experience with a flat cornering stance. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces, potentially settling down with a full load.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in passenger comfort and cargo versatility. Its interior featured convenient storage shelves and a wireless charging pad in higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom with available captain's chairs, while the third row offered limited space for adults. Cargo capacity was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded and 2,245 litres with both rear rows down. However, the Highlander's rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which some passengers found less than ideal.

The 2022 Kia Carnival prioritized practicality with its minivan design, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim introduced VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. These seats were a highlight, though they limited maximum cargo volume. The Carnival's third-row seat provided comfort for adults, and its rear cargo area offered 1,139 litres of space, accommodating large items like strollers. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 4,110 litres, surpassing many SUVs in cargo capacity.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch display available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was visually impressive but limited in functionality for certain apps. A JBL audio system was available from the Limited grade, offering decent sound quality. Navigation was included from the Limited trim, though it struggled with points of interest compared to Google Maps.

The 2022 Kia Carnival started with an 8-inch touchscreen on the LX trim, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims like the EX+ featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. The Carnival also included a Passenger View camera and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on EX+ and SX trims. The SX trim added a 12-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked the depth of previous Harman Kardon systems. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide for its technology, ensuring users could fully utilize its features.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. It also included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Highlander received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like active blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating, though the NHTSA had not yet rated it.