2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the 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 19-inch machined-finish wheels, simulated wood trim, and SynTex leather, while the SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and real leather. 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. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and console, offering an upscale feel even in the base trim.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented an attractive SUV design with balanced styling and character. It featured a welcoming Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and offered a range of interior colours, including light grey premium leather. While the overall interior was luxurious, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less refined. The Nautilus Reserve, priced at $59,800 in Canada, offered optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, enhancing long-distance travel comfort. Despite some minor design drawbacks, the Nautilus provided a decadent and comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. 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 effortless acceleration, with the automatic transmission operating seamlessly. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the preferred choice despite occasional delayed downshifts. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's dynamic performance was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with adaptive suspension adjustments. Comfort mode provided a relaxed ride, while Sport mode firmed up the suspension for spirited driving. The twin-turbo V6 delivered impressive performance, with a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, though the steering lacked engagement.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, despite its minivan roots, offered practicality with an SUV-style dashboard and centre console. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim boasted VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. While these seats were luxurious, they limited cargo space and headroom. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered significant storage capacity. The smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival's cargo space was impressive, with 1,139 litres behind the third row and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a luxurious interior with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage functions. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was limited for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,948 litres with the back seat folded down. The Nautilus offered a comfortable and refined interior, though some design elements appeared less polished.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology offerings varied by trim. The LX trim featured analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims like the EX+ and SX included a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The SX trim added a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though a comprehensive quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Revel premium audio system provided excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also offered Phone as a Key, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle. The technology was user-friendly, with physical stereo and climate controls complementing the digital interface.

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. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Black Label trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.