2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic by adopting a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays contributed to a modern look, while the sculpted sliding side doors added a touch of assertiveness. The Sienna's exterior was complemented by a range of alloy wheel sizes, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The interior was designed for practicality, with a smart center console and ample storage options, making it a family-friendly choice.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and a tall hood visible from the driver's seat. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console reminiscent of a crossover. The interior offered various seating configurations, including the luxurious VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim. Despite some compromises in cargo space, the Carnival's design was appealing, with a focus on style and practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, slightly dulled throttle response. The Sienna's handling was improved with new suspension systems, and it boasted impressive fuel economy figures of 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options but offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth acceleration, and the Carnival's driving modes, including Smart mode, enhanced its performance. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg during testing, with a taut and athletic feel on the road, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and cargo handling, with a standard third-row seat that easily stored away. The second row's 25-inch sliding capability facilitated access to the third row, and the cabin featured ample storage, including 16 cupholders. The Sienna could accommodate a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering flexible cargo space. Its hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo capacity. Power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate with kick-motion activation added to its family-friendly features.

The 2022 Kia Carnival prioritized practicality with its SUV-style design, though it had some limitations in storage space compared to competitors. The Carnival offered various seating configurations, including the luxurious VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim. While these seats were impressive, they couldn't be removed or folded flat, limiting maximum cargo volume. The Carnival's rear cargo area was spacious, with 40.2 cubic feet of volume behind the third-row seat. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It featured a range of connectivity options, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect trials, and a 1500-watt inverter for powering devices. The audio system varied by trim, with a Premium Audio + JBL package available on higher trims. The Sienna also offered a rear-seat entertainment system and advanced driver information displays, including a 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum models.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, starting with EX, offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, navigation, and voice recognition. The Carnival introduced features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk for enhanced communication. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. It featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. While crash-test ratings for the 2021 model were not available, the 2020 Sienna received favorable ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered an extensive list of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot monitoring. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. While crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review, the Carnival's safety features were comprehensive.