2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was crafted as a distinct electric vehicle, diverging from the traditional styling of Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, setting it apart from the more rugged appearance of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was part of Volkswagen's EV-specific MEB platform, following the ID.3 hatchback in Europe. While it shared some design elements with the ID.3, such as plastic body cladding and a slightly elevated ride height, the ID.4's SUV-like styling was subtle. Its interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a tech-forward aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available in the Statement Package.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a new model for its year, showcased unique design elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and silver-painted 17-inch aluminum wheels. The EX trim offered more paint options, 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, and SynTex simulated leather. Higher trims like the SX included black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails. Despite its minivan roots, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, standing out in its segment. Inside, the SUV theme continued with a crossover-like dashboard and centre console, giving the Carnival an upscale appearance even in its base trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two powertrain configurations. The base rear-wheel drive (RWD) version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version added a second electric motor for a total output of 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. While not sporty, the ID.4 prioritized comfort, offering a smooth ride over bumps. Its electric motor delivered ample power, with instantaneous torque making acceleration enjoyable. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 relied on friction brakes, with regenerative braking available in "B" mode but not allowing for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It lacked all-wheel drive and electrified options but offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating seamlessly. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used despite some delayed downshift responses. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with real-world testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's front-wheel-drive setup felt athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing several EV competitors but falling short of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk," prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the centre console, though storage was limited. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The middle seat could slide forward, fold flat, or be removed for a pass-through to the third row. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and an Ottoman-style leg rest. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with ample cargo space behind it. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival provided 1,139 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with the seats folded. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo volume to 4,110 litres, surpassing many SUVs.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12-inch screen optional. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 5.3-inch display screen serving as the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced traditional switchgear, though they lacked tactile feedback, making them challenging to use while driving. The ID.4 featured a natural-language voice-control system, allowing drivers to adjust settings with simple prompts. The ID.Light strip at the base of the windshield communicated information to the driver, though its novelty wore off quickly. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims like the EX+ offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with the SX adding a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though a quick reference guide was recommended for setup. The Passenger View camera and Blind View Monitor added convenience and safety.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered a range of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist added automated lane centring, while Emergency Assist could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added front parking sensors, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the cabin for movement, while Safe Exit Assist prevented occupants from exiting if traffic was approaching. The EX+ trim included a surround-view camera system and Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.