2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a design that appeared compact from the outside but spacious within. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The exterior boasted standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and modern look. Inside, the MDX was refined with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection system added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a range of color options for a personalized touch.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival offered a unique design approach for each trim level, with distinct elements like different grille designs and wheel finishes. The Carnival's SUV styling included features like simulated skid plates and a floating roof design, giving it a robust appearance. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console reminiscent of a crossover. The interior was practical, with various seating configurations, including the luxurious VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim. These seats, along with features like a power rear sunroof and manual side window shades, added a touch of luxury. Despite some compromises in cargo space with the VIP seats, the Carnival's interior was spacious and versatile, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup in the front, improving sporty handling, while the rear multi-link suspension enhanced ride quality. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, contributing to a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Carnival's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds. The engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, while the transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival offered four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, some delayed downshift responses were noted in Smart mode, particularly when cornering or climbing hills. The Carnival's front-wheel-drive setup provided a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces, which might improve when loaded with passengers and cargo.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and an innovative second row with a removable center section. The second row could slide and recline, providing flexibility for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for carpools. The vehicle offered between 16.3 and 18.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 95 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Grab ‘N Go" and Hands-Free Access, enhancing utility. The interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes to create different cabin atmospheres.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was designed with practicality in mind, offering various seating configurations. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration. The SX Prestige trim included VIP Lounge Seats, adding luxury but limiting cargo space. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area was spacious, providing 40.2 cubic feet of volume behind the third row. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival offered up to 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats removed, surpassing some SUVs in capacity.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with advanced technology, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The MDX featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument panel, both configurable for a personalized experience. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with a WiFi hotspot and over-the-air updates. The MDX also offered a head-up display and a surround-view camera system on higher trims, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, navigation, and wireless charging. The Carnival included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication within the vehicle. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige trim offered a digital instrumentation display and a Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help owners navigate the technology, ensuring a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Acura MDX was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure for collision protection. It featured a low-speed braking control system and the AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance technologies, including collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. While crash-test ratings were not available at the time, Acura aimed for improved ratings over the previous model.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. 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, enhancing safety for passengers. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige trim offered a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were not available at the time of review.