2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking design. It featured distinctive lines and shapes, from a prominent grille to crisp shoulder lines and a tasteful tailgate. The SUV's profile was enhanced by sculpted wheel arches and a continuous strip of glass that created a floating rear roof effect. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and elegant interior with a horizontally arrayed 12.3-inch touchscreen and high-quality materials. The spacious second and third rows provided comfort for passengers, making it a worthy flagship in design and execution.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique style and upscale image, distinguishing itself from typical minivans. The Carnival SX trim featured high-tech front and rear lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. Inside, dual instrumentation and infotainment screens added sophistication, while dual power sunroofs provided natural light. The interior materials were of good quality, and the transmission shifter's solid action imparted a sense of quality. However, the black alloy wheels were considered boring and unimaginative. Overall, the Carnival's design and interior features made it an attractive and upscale choice in the minivan category.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Despite its lack of turbocharging, the engine delivered power efficiently, with no lag. The Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.1 combined. It could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes. The SUV's handling was enhanced by a four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars, providing a comfortable and controlled ride.

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 Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. It could tow up to 1,587 kilograms. While the Carnival lacked AWD and a hybrid powertrain, it provided ample power and a smooth transmission. 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 of passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating in all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including a centre console with two compartments. Luggage space behind the third row measured 509 litres, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded and 2,447 litres with both rows down. The Palisade's gear selector was a compact shift-by-wire setup, and controls were logically arranged. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior design resembled an SUV, with a lower driving position and a centre console similar to those found in SUVs. The Carnival offered three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The test vehicle featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The SX trim included VIP Lounge Seats in the second row, which were comfortable but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. The third-row seat was spacious, with USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival's cargo capacity behind the third row was 1,139 litres, and the smart power liftgate added convenience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, with a standard 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system on all but the base trim. The infotainment system included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a Qi wireless charging pad and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system was standard on higher trims, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The Palisade's technology package was comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, mounted side-by-side under a single piece of glass. The digital instrumentation featured lush graphics and changed appearance based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was considered mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera. The Carnival's technology package was sophisticated and user-friendly, with some minor drawbacks.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Advanced driver assistance features included blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist standard on all trims. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement inside the minivan. Adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist were standard from the EX trim. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but its standard headlights received a Poor rating. The NHTSA had not yet performed crash tests on the Carnival.