2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since its last redesign in 2017. It resembled a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee, with our test vehicle featuring attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite impressed with its premium SUV feel, thanks to a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening contributed to a sophisticated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival stood out with its distinctive style and impressive technology, setting it apart from typical minivans. The Carnival's SX trim, with its extra-cost Storm Blue paint, conveyed an upscale image, featuring high-tech front and rear lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. Inside, the dual instrumentation and infotainment screens added sophistication, while the dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light. The interior materials were of high quality, preventing the minivan from feeling cheap, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs, and a turbocharger would have been beneficial, especially for mountain adventures. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with the 4WD system, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, with its 20.6 cm ground clearance, was capable of light off-roading, while the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a 21.9 cm ground clearance and additional features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, 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 a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. While AWD was unavailable, the V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated smoothly, and the brakes performed well, except for a one-time fading issue. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty, with a softer ride when fully loaded, making it satisfying to drive overall.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned on the smaller end of the compact SUV spectrum, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard, with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, improved perceived quality and sophistication. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, resembling an SUV more than a minivan, offered three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The SX trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The VIP Lounge Seats in the SX trim provided luxury but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious, with USB ports and cupholders, and the smart power liftgate revealed 1,139 litres of cargo volume behind the third row. Removing the second-row seats expanded cargo space to 4,110 litres.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, with a 10.1-inch option available on upper trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in finding specific locations.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX boasted 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz. 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 mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera, enhancing convenience and communication.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features for 2022, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance systems available from the Trailhawk grade. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance were also included, with Highway Assist expected later in the model year. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with smooth acceleration. As of the review, crash test results from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist standard across all trims. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, while adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist were available from the EX grade. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy, providing accurate and smooth assistance. The IIHS rated the Carnival as a Top Safety Pick, though the standard headlights received a Poor rating.