2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated enthusiasts with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, which were designed for extreme terrains. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance its off-road prowess. Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, allowing for easy cleaning after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco incorporated modern technology, such as G.O.A.T. modes and a digital instrument panel, making it a versatile choice for both off-road enthusiasts and everyday drivers.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival stood out with its distinctive style and upscale image, challenging the typical minivan stereotype. The Carnival's design was more akin to an SUV, with a lower driving position and a centre console reminiscent of those found in SUVs. Inside, the Carnival offered a range of upholstery options, including genuine leather in the SX trim, and featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens that added sophistication. The Carnival's interior was designed for comfort, with heated and ventilated front seats and a three-zone climate control system. While it lacked the off-road capabilities of the Bronco, the Carnival excelled in providing a comfortable and stylish ride for families.

The 2022 Ford Bronco was equipped with a base turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. An optional 2.7-litre V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco offered a seven-speed manual transmission for the two-door model with the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and all four-door models. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like a crawl gear for low-speed driving and a two-speed transfer case. It excelled in challenging terrains, such as deep water crossings and steep rock climbs, while maintaining a smooth ride on pavement.

The 2023 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered driving modes like Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport, but lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options. The Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated smoothly. 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. Despite some wind noise at higher speeds, the Carnival delivered a satisfying driving experience.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top accommodating up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, such as netted door pockets and accessory rails, and offered stowable doors for added convenience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior was designed with comfort and versatility in mind. It offered three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The Carnival's three-zone climate control system and heated and ventilated front seats enhanced comfort. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats in the second row, which were power-adjustable and fully reclining, but limited cargo capacity to 2,460 litres. The third-row seat provided adequate legroom and included USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival offered a smart power liftgate and a deep cargo well with 1,139 litres of space behind the third row, making it ideal for carrying sports equipment.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, featuring G.O.A.T. modes for different terrains and a forward-looking trail camera for improved visibility. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses and sharp graphics, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The Bronco also included a Trail Turn Assist feature for sharper turns in tight spaces.

The 2023 Kia Carnival impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering lush graphics and dynamic imagery. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was deemed mediocre, and the voice recognition system had limitations.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most categories.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and adaptive cruise control was standard from the EX trim. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but its standard headlights were rated Poor.