2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a longer body, revised grille, and enhanced LED lighting. The sporty new character lines and lower body cladding added to its crossover SUV appeal, while new alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and centre console were separated to create a more spacious look, complemented by ambient lighting in the front cupholders and footwells. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive interior features, elevating the Kona's sporty aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Carnival, entirely new for the model year, showcased unique design elements across its trims. The LX and LX+ featured a standard grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered more paint colours, 19-inch machined-finish wheels, and SynTex simulated leather. 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 character lines integrating the sliding door tracks. Its design was angular and conservatively tasteful, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT in the Essential and Preferred trims. The N Line trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low centre of gravity and AWD providing stability and agility.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival offered Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used despite some delayed downshift responses. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 L/100 km, with a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kg. The Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants, even with the optional sunroof. The rear seats, however, were less accommodating, with limited head- and legroom due to the vehicle's dimensions. Cargo space was tight at 544 litres with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, as a minivan, offered practicality with eight-passenger seating on most trims. The second-row bench seat could be configured for various needs, while the SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leg rests. The Carnival's cargo space was generous, with 1,139 litres behind the third row and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity on the base trim, with SiriusXM and Hyundai BlueLink available on higher trims. The Kona N and N Line with the Ultimate Package offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with Hyundai BlueLink providing connected services.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX+ trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless charging, and eight speakers. The SX trim added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and rear occupant alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to child-seat anchor ratings.

The 2022 Kia Carnival included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist provided additional safety. The IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating, though the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of review.