2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the market, distinguished itself with unique design elements across its various trims. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more refined look with a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish wheels, and simulated leather. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included skid plates, a floating roof design, 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, angular lines, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, a staple in the crossover SUV market since 1996, continued to evolve with its latest iteration. The RAV4's exterior design, while fitting in with current crossover trends, featured angular wheel arches and crisp lines that contrasted with the body-side bends. Its expressive headlights and grille gave it a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and colours, anchored by a straightforward centre stack. The interior design included a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern, tying together various cabin elements. The RAV4's design emphasized quality and attention to detail, maintaining its appeal to a broad range of drivers.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This front-wheel-drive setup provided smooth acceleration, although it lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival offered four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. The vehicle's handling was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive model was 7.9 L/100 km combined, while all-wheel-drive models ranged from 7.9 to 8.5 L/100 km. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 217 horsepower and achieving 6.0 L/100 km combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid offered 302 horsepower and could run up to 68 kilometres on electricity alone, with a combined efficiency rating of 2.5 Le/100 km. The RAV4's handling was enhanced by its four-wheel independent suspension and dynamic torque vectoring, providing a smooth and responsive driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, designed as a minivan, offered practicality with its SUV-style dashboard and centre console. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating, with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area provided ample space, with 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 added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV, offered 1,059 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,977 litres with the seats folded flat. The RAV4's towing capacity varied by model, with Trail and TRD Off-Road models capable of towing up to 1,588 kilograms. Inside, the RAV4 provided comfortable seating for four, with ample legroom and headroom in the front seats. The XLE grade added features like dual-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The RAV4's interior included numerous storage options, including cupholders, bottle holders, and a roomy glove compartment.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology offerings varied by trim. The LX trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX+ trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. The SX trim included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Carnival's tech was generally intuitive, though a comprehensive quick reference guide was provided to help users navigate its features.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a range of technology features, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and six-speaker audio. Higher trims included a 9-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker JBL audio, and navigation. The RAV4 Prime featured additional tech, such as five USB ports, a 120-volt AC power outlet, and a 10-inch head-up display. Smartphone integration was standard across all models, making factory navigation systems less essential.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added features like active blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. 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.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota's Star Safety System, with features like vehicle stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard, offering a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The RAV4 also featured Safety Connect with emergency assistance and eight airbags. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid five-star ratings.