2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive scene, showcased a distinct design that set it apart from its competitors. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more sophisticated look with 19-inch machined-finish wheels and a mirrored grid-pattern grille. The SX trim added black wheels and real leather, enhancing its appeal. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included simulated skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them with character lines, maintaining a sleek look. The Carnival's design was angular and tasteful, standing out in a segment often dominated by more rounded or bloated designs. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and console, exuding an upscale vibe even in its base trim.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 was a standout in the Genesis lineup, boasting a unique design that diverged from its siblings. It featured the brand's signature two-line lighting, creating a near-continuous circle around the vehicle. The GV70's styling was distinct, with a sculpted hood and unique accent lines. The Sport and Sport Plus grades added dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the exterior, including 21-inch alloy wheels. Genesis offered a wide range of exterior and interior colour combinations, allowing for personalization. The GV70's cabin featured an elliptical theme inspired by airplane wings, with genuine carbon fibre inserts available on Sport trims. The interior was luxurious, with quilted leather seats and premium materials, although some plastic elements were present. Overall, the GV70's design and interior quality were impressive, offering a unique and upscale experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, but it offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine was praised for its performance, although the Smart driving mode occasionally exhibited delayed downshifts. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with real-world testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's handling was taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 being the highlight. This engine produced 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, positioning the GV70 against mid-level performance competitors. The GV70's power figures were competitive, and its fuel consumption was estimated at 11.6 L/100 km. The GV70 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear-axle bias. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential for enhanced performance. The GV70 offered multiple drive modes, with Sport+ delivering aggressive performance. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and road feedback, and the GV70's tight turning radius was advantageous in urban settings.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was a practical minivan with an SUV-style design. It offered eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leather upholstery, providing a luxurious experience. However, these seats couldn't be removed or folded flat, limiting cargo space. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area was spacious, offering 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats increased cargo space to 2,460 litres, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 4,110 litres. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate were convenient, although they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-focused design and ergonomics. The centre console featured intuitive controls, including a dial-based gear selector. The GV70's climate controls were configured under a single pane, providing haptic feedback. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available. The rear space was enhanced by a panoramic sunroof, although storage was limited. The GV70 offered 819 litres of cargo volume behind the second row, expandable to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor. Overall, the GV70's interior was well-designed, with above-average ergonomics and functionality.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on the LX trim. Starting with EX+ trim, a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system was available, offering HD Radio, SiriusXM, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with the SX trim featuring a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, although a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with high-resolution graphics. The system supported split-screen layouts and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster with Hyundai's Blind View Monitor system. The GV70 introduced a fingerprint recognition system for keyless start. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system available on top grades. The GV70's technology offerings were impressive, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The EX+ trim included a surround-view camera system and a camera-based Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance. The GV70 introduced a radar-based rear occupant alert system. The Genesis Highway Driving Assist system provided lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. The GV70's safety systems were advanced, although safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.