2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival presented a unique design across its various trims, each offering distinct elements that set them apart. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim doubled the available paint colors and added 19-inch machined-finish wheels, simulated wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige focused on interior upgrades with real leather and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling cues, such as skid plates and a floating roof design, contributed to its appealing and upscale appearance, even in the base trim. The interior continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and center console, offering a stylish and upscale look.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim, however, did not impress with its new treatment. While it included side steps and a roof rack, these features were more of a hindrance than a help, affecting entry and exit and reducing off-road capability. The XRT trim was priced between the SE/SEL and the turbocharged Limited/Calligraphy trims, offering front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast, resembling a black-and-white image. Despite this, the interior design and quality were commendable for the price point, with thoughtful patterns and brightwork enhancing the cabin's appeal.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used, despite a delayed downshift response. The EPA rated the Carnival at 22 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 21.7 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While not particularly powerful, it was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The Santa Fe averaged 22.3 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride and handling were composed and refined, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. The Santa Fe's handling, steering, and braking were satisfactory, though not exceptional.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality with its minivan design, though the SUV-style dashboard and center console limited storage space. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration. The SX Prestige trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and a rear sunroof. The Carnival provided ample cargo space, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat offered comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent accommodations, with ample legroom and foot room. The Santa Fe's cargo space measured 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. The hands-free power-opening Smart Tailgate was convenient but could open unexpectedly.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's LX trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone connectivity, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and more. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. The Santa Fe's digital key technology allowed Android-based smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle, though it was not compatible with Apple iPhones. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a thoughtful addition.

The 2022 Kia Carnival included a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added front parking sensors and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige included a Blind View Monitor. The Carnival also had an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist were also standard. The Santa Fe's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the interior for movement. Bluelink provided additional safety features, such as automatic emergency assistance. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.