2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the lineup, showcased distinct design elements across its various trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, which some found less appealing. The EX trim, however, offered a more sophisticated look with a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and real leather, along with the luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included features like simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage's design was a mix of hits and misses. While the tiger-nose grille didn't quite fit the Sportage's front end, other design elements were spot-on. The four-dot running light signature and the symmetry of the rear fascia added style, and the SX's 19-inch alloy wheels gave it a planted stance. Inside, the Sportage featured a Germanic design with a black dashboard, metallic accents, and straightforward instrumentation. The controls were user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy adjustments. Overall, the Sportage exuded an upscale feel, though the grille design was a point of contention.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options but offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most used despite some delayed downshift responses. 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, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options: a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a more robust 237 hp engine with 260 lb-ft of torque in the SX trim. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the Dynamax all-wheel-drive system was standard on most trims. The Sportage SX provided quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The SUV's suspension, featuring MacPherson struts and an independent multi-link rear, offered a smooth and compliant ride. While the Sportage felt athletic in turns, the steering could have been sharper, and the tires had a lower threshold before howling. Overall, the Sportage was fun to drive but not as refined as some competitors.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim featured luxurious VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. 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, with 1,139 litres of volume behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats created 2,460 litres of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats increased it to 4,110 litres. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while smaller, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim featured perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The Sportage's interior storage was ample, but its maximum cargo volume of 1,703 litres fell short of segment leaders. The smart liftgate technology provided hands-free convenience, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims, starting with EX+, offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The technology was intuitive, but setting it up required some time and effort.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX trim added UVO Intelligence connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the UVO Intelligence system lacked some modern features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also had an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance on the EX and SX trims. The SX trim also included adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX earning an Acceptable headlight rating.