2022 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive scene, 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 simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them with 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.

Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and centre console, exuding an upscale feel even in base trims. The interior design was both practical and stylish, offering a blend of functionality and aesthetics. The Carnival's approach to design was a testament to Kia's commitment to style, making it a standout choice in its segment.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, carried forward its second-generation design into its 14th year, showcasing a mature and timeless exterior. While other SUVs embraced larger grilles and wheel arches, the Sequoia maintained a balanced look with a modest grille and elegant wheel arches. Its dimensions were substantial, with a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. The Sequoia's interior, however, showed its age, with a flat and old-fashioned design compared to modern SUVs. The 7-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen felt outdated in a market dominated by larger digital displays.

Despite its dated interior, the Sequoia's build quality was commendable, with tight seams and high-quality materials. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, demonstrated Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant. Overall, the Sequoia's design was a testament to its durability and reliability, appealing to those seeking a robust and spacious SUV.

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. While it lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, it 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 preferred choice despite occasional delayed downshifts. Fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km.

The Carnival's front-wheel-drive setup contributed to its athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance and minimal tire noise. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces, suggesting it might settle down when fully loaded. Overall, the Carnival's performance was characterized by its smooth engine and responsive handling.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sequoia offered a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential and a two-speed transfer case for 4WD models. Its truck-based roots provided a payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. The Sequoia's weight, close to 2,721.5 kilograms, contributed to its fuel consumption ratings of 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 16.4 combined.

Despite its heft, the Sequoia delivered a smooth and stable ride, excelling on highways and curvy roads. Its body-on-frame construction and ground clearance made it a capable off-roader, with the TRD Pro model featuring enhanced suspension for improved off-road performance. The Sequoia's driving experience was marked by its robust powertrain and off-road capabilities, appealing to those seeking a rugged and versatile SUV.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality with its minivan design, though the SUV-style dashboard and centre console limited storage space compared to competitors. 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 couldn't be removed or folded flat, limiting cargo space. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 1,139 litres of volume behind the third-row seat. Folding the third-row seats expanded cargo space to 2,460 litres, and removing the second-row seats created a maximum cargo volume of 4,110 litres.

The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. Overall, the Carnival's interior was spacious and versatile, catering to families with its practical features and ample cargo capacity.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with its spacious three-row seating. The interior offered generous headroom and legroom, with three-zone climate control and a standard power moonroof. Heated front seats were standard, while heated rear seats were available on the Platinum grade. The Sequoia's centre console and glove compartment provided ample storage, and rear passengers had access to cup holders and power outlets. The cargo compartment featured a 12-volt outlet, accommodating 535 litres of luggage behind the third-row seats. Power-folding the third row expanded cargo space to 1,886 litres, and folding both the second and third rows created 3,401 litres of space.

The Sequoia's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a spacious and well-equipped SUV.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity on the LX trim. Starting with EX+ trim, it offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while the SX trim added a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though it required time to set up and learn. Overall, the Carnival's tech offerings were modern and comprehensive, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated with its 7-inch touchscreen and clunky operating system. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen lagged behind competitors. The Platinum and TRD Pro trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Despite its dated tech, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar. The Sequoia's technology was functional but lacked the sophistication of modern SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival's ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist enhanced safety for families. The EX+ trim featured a surround-view camera system and Blind View Monitor. The IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a robust suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P suite included pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The STAR safety system provided stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. The Sequoia's safety features were comprehensive, ensuring peace of mind for drivers and passengers.