2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive market, showcased a distinctive design that set it apart from its competitors. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the LX and LX+ featuring a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The EX trim elevated the aesthetic with a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish wheels, and simulated leather upholstery. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included features like skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them into the vehicle's character lines, maintaining a sleek look. The Carnival's angular design stood out in the minivan segment, offering a more upscale and stylish interior reminiscent of a crossover.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, while sharing a family resemblance with the Encore, offered a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Encore GX's design was enhanced by the optional ST appearance package, which included body-colour moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch wheels. The interior of the Encore GX was attractive, with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery on higher trims. The cabin provided a comfortable experience, with heated seats and a well-sized steering wheel. However, the rotary toggles on the steering wheel were somewhat cumbersome. Overall, the Encore GX's design was handsome, with a focus on practicality and ease of use, making it a user-friendly choice for drivers.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine powered the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival offered various driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, there was a noticeable delay in downshifting when accelerating out of corners or on inclines, which was resolved by switching to Sport mode. The Carnival's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The vehicle's handling was taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX featured a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its small size, the engine was surprisingly capable, providing adequate power for highway merging and steep inclines. However, the engine exhibited some harshness and noise, typical of a three-cylinder engine. The Encore GX's ride was less settled than expected, with higher noise levels inside the cabin. While the vehicle's handling was drama-free, the driving dynamics were generally uninspiring. The Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, and its performance was best suited for urban and suburban environments.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality with its minivan design, although the SUV-style dashboard and centre console limited storage space. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating, with a versatile second-row bench seat that could slide, fold, or be removed for additional cargo space. The SX trim boasted VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. These seats were a highlight, although they limited maximum cargo volume. The third-row seat provided ample space for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 1,139 litres of volume, expandable to 2,460 litres with the third-row seats folded. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally. Overall, the Carnival provided generous cargo space and seating flexibility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, offered a comfortable and user-friendly interior. The vehicle's design prioritized ease of access, with well-placed seat hip points and clearly marked controls. Front-seat headroom and legroom were ample, while rear-seat knee room was tighter. The Encore GX's cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,422 litres with the seats folded. The vehicle featured a two-level cargo floor for added versatility. The optional hands-free power liftgate provided convenience, with adjustable height settings for easy access. Overall, the Encore GX offered a practical and comfortable interior, suitable for everyday use.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims, starting with EX+, offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with additional features like HD Radio, SiriusXM, and wireless smartphone charging. The EX+ and SX trims also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, although it required time to set up and learn. The vehicle's tech package included a Passenger View camera, navigation, and UVO Link connected services, providing a comprehensive and sophisticated experience.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The vehicle's tech package included navigation, advanced voice recognition, and customizable vehicle settings. The Encore GX also featured a Convenience package with automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, and rain-sensing wipers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition. Overall, the Encore GX provided a solid tech offering, with a focus on ease of use and connectivity.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The vehicle received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although it had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of review.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Encore GX performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS awarded the vehicle "Good" ratings in crash tests, with varying ratings for headlights. The Encore GX also received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.