2022 Kia Carnival vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's signature design elements like the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The gasoline models offered a retro touch with a white contrasting roof, while the electric XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. The Recharge also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist yet premium interior, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale environment.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, entirely new for its model year, showcased distinct design elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 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 VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, with black trim accentuating its lower perimeter. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and centre console reminiscent of a crossover, offering an upscale appearance even in base trims.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors providing all-wheel drive, with a combined output of 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and it could tow up to 900 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a new 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 offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, a delayed downshift response was noted in certain driving conditions. The Carnival achieved a fuel consumption of 10.8 L/100 km during testing, slightly above the expected 10.6 L/100 km. The front-wheel-drive Carnival exhibited a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while offering no difference in passenger or cargo space between its Recharge and gasoline models, was not particularly spacious. It had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The XC40's frunk was also limited in size due to powertrain hardware. However, Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and large door bins. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for extra storage space in the doors. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, with its SUV-style dashboard and centre console limiting storage space compared to some competitors. Most trims offered eight-passenger seating, with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim featured power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with leather upholstery and an Ottoman-style leg rest. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered significant space, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third-row seat. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally. The Carnival's cargo space expanded to 2,460 litres with the third-row seats folded, and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model introduced OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The XC40 lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation, and future updates could include a Digital Key feature.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, starting with the LX trim, offered traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX+ trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with the SX trim adding a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, but a comprehensive quick reference guide was provided to help users navigate the features.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for its gasoline models. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered an extensive list of safety features and advanced driving assistance systems. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added features like active blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the cabin for movement, and Safe Exit Assist prevented occupants from exiting when traffic was approaching. The EX+ trim featured a surround-view camera system and a Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, while the NHTSA had not yet rated it.