2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban was designed with a bold, full-size truck aesthetic, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels contributed to its supersized appearance. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering different grille, fascia, and wheel designs, allowing for a degree of customization. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch wheels, and sporty monochromatic black grille. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury, from the economically comfortable LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, though the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel somewhat dark.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival presented a distinctive style that set it apart from typical minivans. The SX trim, with its Storm Blue paint and upscale image, was particularly eye-catching. The Carnival's design included high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, though the black alloy wheels were less imaginative. Inside, the Carnival SX boasted dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality materials that prevented it from feeling cheap. The robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality, and the interior was designed to be both functional and stylish, with a focus on passenger comfort and convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six, all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base 5.3-litre V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-litre V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The new 3.0-litre diesel engine provided 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, offering excellent fuel efficiency. The Suburban's towing capacity reached up to 3,765 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The RST trim, equipped with the 6.2-litre V8 and Magnetic Ride Control, offered effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing and long-distance travel.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms. The Carnival featured Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes, though it lacked AWD and a hybrid powertrain. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The Carnival's brakes performed well in most situations, though they showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. Overall, the Carnival offered a satisfying driving experience, with a firm, sporty ride quality and a softer ride when fully loaded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most models offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row providing adequate headroom and legroom. The Suburban boasted 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 4,097 litres with the second and third rows folded flat. The power-sliding centre console and various storage compartments added to its practicality. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and its height could be an issue for some garages.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and SUV-like centre console. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The Carnival's three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated steering wheel added to passenger comfort. The SX trim's VIP Lounge Seats provided luxury but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival offered up to 4,110 litres of cargo space. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the smart power liftgate revealed a deep cargo well with 1,139 litres of space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of technology features, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system was available on higher trims. The Suburban also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and various audio systems, including a nine-speaker Bose system on the LT and a 10-speaker Bose CenterPoint system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a high-end presentation similar to luxury brands. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. The Carnival also offered Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre, and the Kia Connect subscription was inactive during testing, limiting voice recognition capabilities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist standard on all trims. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and Safe Exit Assist. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and the Highway Driving Assist technology was praised for its accuracy and smooth operation. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick, though the standard headlights received a Poor rating.