2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive market, showcased a distinct 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 simulated 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 design was praised for its sharp angles and conservative taste, making it a standout in its segment.

Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and centre console reminiscent of a crossover. The upscale design extended to the base trim, offering a stylish and sophisticated interior. The Carnival's approach to design was a departure from the traditional minivan, providing a more refined and appealing option for families seeking both practicality and style.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, on the other hand, embraced its heritage with the iconic seven-slot grille, now featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with a trim lineup distinct from its gas-powered counterparts. The Overland trim, with its silver paint and black roof, offered a blend of ruggedness and sophistication. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe provided a comfortable and upscale experience, with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the presence of hard plastic materials in the interior raised concerns about durability and noise over time. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's design successfully combined traditional Jeep elements with modern touches, appealing to those seeking a blend of heritage and innovation.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This power was transmitted to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms (3,500 pounds), making it a practical choice for families with towing needs. The V6 engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival offered four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. Smart mode was the preferred choice, although it occasionally exhibited delayed downshift responses. Sport mode helped address this issue, particularly on inclines. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with an average consumption of 10.8 L/100 km during testing, slightly above the official rating of 10.6 L/100 km. The Carnival's handling was taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup produced an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the output of the company's 5.7-litre V8 engine. The Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a fuel consumption rating of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The vehicle offered 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, making it the most fuel-efficient Grand Cherokee ever built. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize battery usage. Regenerative braking and an electronic front-axle disconnect further enhanced efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were bolstered by two 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, providing exceptional traction and control. However, its towing capacity of 2,721 kilograms (6,000 pounds) was lower than that of the V6- and V8-powered models.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with seating for up to eight passengers. The second-row bench seat could be configured in various ways, including a sliding middle seat for easy access to the third row. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests, providing a luxurious experience for rear passengers. However, these seats could not be removed or folded flat, limiting maximum cargo volume. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area offered ample space, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of cargo space, while removing the second-row seats expanded it to 4,110 litres. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not offering a third row, provided generous space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second-row seats increased cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, offering ample room for a family of four. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was designed for comfort, with heated steering wheel and other amenities enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a range of technology options, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim. This system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims, such as the EX+, offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with additional features like HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. The Carnival also included a Passenger View camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on select trims. The SX trim boasted a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system, although it was considered a step down from previous Harman Kardon systems. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology, ensuring a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed users to personalize the display with various widgets and layouts. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and a wireless charging pad. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto were available. The highlight of the Grand Cherokee 4xe's technology was the 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, offering exceptional audio quality. However, this system was only available on higher trims, starting with the Overland.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist provided additional safety measures. The EX+ trim featured a surround-view camera system and a Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although the NHTSA had not yet rated it.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. Jeep announced plans for a hands-off driver assistance feature suite, although it required additional hardware. The IIHS had not published crash-test results for the Grand Cherokee 4xe, but the NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.