2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, which contributed to a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright and flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look compared to its predecessor. While it maintained a car-based crossover design, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials were decent for the price. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior was considered too subdued.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival stood out with its distinctive style and upscale image. It featured high-tech front and rear lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. The SX Prestige trim came with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and flashy dashboard trim. The interior materials were of good quality, and the transmission shifter's solid action added a sense of quality. The Carnival's design and features made it an attractive and sophisticated choice in the minivan segment.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. While it had more torque than most rivals, it lacked horsepower, which became apparent at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher rpm, and the automatic transmission's shifts were rough. The Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, but it was comfortable on poorly maintained roads.

The 2023 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive and various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated flawlessly. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty with a single occupant but softened with a full load. Overall, it was satisfying to drive, though the Honda Odyssey felt more athletic.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front-seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, but rear visibility was hampered by small rear windows. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, didn't feel like a typical minivan. It offered a lower driving position and an SUV-like center console. The SX Prestige trim featured genuine leather upholstery, though it felt stiff. The Carnival had a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row were comfortable but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, and the Carnival offered 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo capacity to 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, though tech-savvy buyers might desire more features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige boasted 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation featured lush graphics and changed appearance based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities but didn't captivate teenage passengers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though the NHTSA hadn't performed crash tests at the time of review.