2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the market, showcased a distinct design 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, with a tall hood visible from the driver's seat. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, standing out in its segment with a more upscale interior resembling a crossover.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, positioned as a compact SUV, offered a straightforward yet detailed design. Available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, the Taos featured a turbocharged engine and a choice between FWD and 4Motion AWD. The Highline 4Motion model boasted 19-inch machined-finish wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, enhancing its presence. The Taos adhered to SUV styling norms with roof rails and skid plates, though the blacked-out front bumper was a questionable choice. Inside, the Taos had a mix of hard plastics and soft surfaces, with the Highline trim offering two-tone leather and a stitched dashboard. Despite some interior material criticisms, the Taos provided a spacious cabin with ample legroom and comfort.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It lacked AWD and hybrid options but offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms. The V6 engine provided smooth 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 efficiency was rated at 10.6 L/100 km, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's handling was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine's torque delivery was delayed, leading to sudden power surges. The 4Motion AWD system paired with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission offered spirited performance but suffered from erratic shifting. The standard 8-speed automatic with FWD provided smoother driving but lacked AWD and had a less sophisticated suspension. The Taos Highline 4Motion in Sport mode improved drivability, though turbo lag and harsh shifting persisted. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 L/100 km, with a tested average of 8.7 L/100 km. The Taos excelled in road feel, steering, and handling, though its ground clearance was limited compared to competitors.

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a practical minivan with SUV styling, offered eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leather upholstery, though they limited cargo space. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Carnival's rear cargo area was spacious, 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 Volkswagen Taos boasted a roomy cabin, with the Highline trim offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space varied with the drive system, with FWD models offering 790 litres behind the rear seat and 1,866 litres with the seat folded. The 4Motion models had slightly less cargo space due to the independent rear suspension. The Taos featured a centre pass-through for ski trips, though the front centre armrest bin was small.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX trim featuring analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX+ trim added a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. 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 detailed quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the Trendline trim. The Comfortline and Highline trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with MIB3 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Highline added navigation and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system. The MIB3 system was supposed to be user-friendly, but voice recognition issues and a complex user experience detracted from its appeal.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, while the EX+ trim featured a surround-view camera system and Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos required higher trims for popular safety features, with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking available on the Comfortline trim. The Highline trim offered additional features like lane-keeping assistance and Travel Assist. Emergency Assist was a notable feature, slowing the Taos in case of driver inactivity. The Taos had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations at the time of review.