2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 INFINITI QX60

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a comprehensive redesign, marking the beginning of its second generation. This transformation included a new exterior and interior design, updated powertrains, and advanced technologies, aligning it with its Nissan counterpart, the Pathfinder. The QX60's exterior boasted a striking appearance with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and chrome accents, giving it a concept-car-like look. The interior was spacious and luxurious, featuring quilted leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, enhancing the overall driving experience. Built in Tennessee, the QX60 showcased high craftsmanship and build quality, typical of Infiniti vehicles.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival distinguished itself with a unique style and impressive technology, setting it apart from traditional minivans. Available in various trims, the Carnival offered a range of features, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Prestige trim provided an upscale image with high-tech lighting, intricate grille design, and decorative roof pillar trim. Inside, the Carnival featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality interior materials. Despite its minivan classification, the Carnival's design and features made it feel more like an SUV, appealing to those seeking a stylish and functional family vehicle.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a superior driving experience compared to the previous CVT, offering smooth and crisp shifts. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, delivered a serene ride, while the electric power steering offered good feel. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and slightly lower for AWD versions. The QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, providing comfort for passengers in all three rows.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered a satisfying driving experience with Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. While lacking AWD and hybrid options, the Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated flawlessly. The brakes performed well in most situations, though they showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. Overall, the Carnival offered a firm, sporty ride, with a softer feel when fully loaded.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, with its traditional SUV design, offered a spacious and comfortable interior. The three-row SUV provided ample storage, charging ports, and comfort for all passengers. The second-row seats could slide to share space with the third row, and the Autograph trim featured captain's chairs with a removable center console. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 75.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, designed to resemble an SUV, offered a versatile and spacious interior. It featured smart sliding doors and various seating configurations, including VIP Lounge Seats in the SX Prestige trim. These seats provided luxury but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without the VIP seats, the Carnival offered up to 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival's smart power liftgate revealed a deep cargo well with 40.2 cubic feet of space, ideal for sports equipment and other items.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 impressed with its technology offerings, including full LED lighting, a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, and an AT&T WiFi hotspot. The Autograph trim featured a head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. The QX60 also offered a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system and Infiniti InTouch services with connectivity features via a smartphone app.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a sophisticated and visually appealing experience. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. 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, though it was less appealing to teenagers who preferred their own devices.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, LATCH connectors, and advanced driver assistance systems. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure, and optional features included blind-spot intervention and lane-departure prevention. While crash-test ratings were not available, the previous generation received high marks from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of safety features, with standard collision warnings and avoidance systems. The rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System were notable inclusions. Starting with EX trim, the Carnival added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS for 2022, though NHTSA had not yet tested it.