2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive 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 sophisticated look with a mirrored grid-pattern grille, 19-inch machined-finish wheels, and simulated leather. The SX trim further enhanced the aesthetic with black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included features like simulated skid plates, a floating roof, 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, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna.

Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and centre console reminiscent of a crossover. This approach, combined with Kia's attention to style, gave the Carnival an upscale feel even in its base trim. The interior design was both practical and stylish, offering a comfortable and modern environment for front-seat occupants.

The 2023 Acura MDX, available in standard and Type S versions, offered a range of trim packages to enhance its equipment levels. The Type S Ultra trim, with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior, set high expectations for quality and luxury. The MDX featured chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic moonroof, contributing to its appealing exterior. Inside, the Type S Ultra boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls challenging to use. The MDX's electronic transmission switchgear also received mixed reviews. Despite these minor issues, the MDX was generally considered an attractive luxury SUV, though some angles gave the impression of a dented side.

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 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 effortless acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, delayed downshift responses were noted, particularly when cornering or climbing hills. Sport mode helped alleviate this issue. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, with a test average of 10.8 L/100 km. The front-wheel-drive Carnival exhibited a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance and minimal tire noise. However, it could feel stiff and bouncy on uneven surfaces, potentially improving with a full load.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This represented a significant increase over the standard V6, but the Type S also weighed more. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive performance experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brakes were difficult to modulate. The engine's power increase was not substantial enough to justify its poor fuel economy, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The MDX Type S was more agreeable in Normal mode but faced challenges in Sport and Sport+ modes, with issues like squealing tires and excessive body roll. Overall, the MDX Type S failed to deliver the expected driving experience, making the standard MDX with the A-Spec package a more predictable and enjoyable choice.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench. The middle seat could slide forward, fold flat, or be removed for added flexibility. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests, though they limited cargo space. The third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the Carnival's rear cargo area offered significant storage capacity. The smart hands-free power-sliding side 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 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating with a choice of two or three second-row positions. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and lacked the expected support for spirited driving. The second-row seat could slide and tilt for easier third-row access, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the centre console. The cargo area provided 461 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded flat. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim. Higher trims, like the EX+, featured a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The Carnival also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system on the SX trim. The technology was generally intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended for setup and operation.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console. The TTI design limited storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality. The MDX also included a 10.5-inch head-up display on higher trims, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

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. The EX trim added front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The EX+ trim included a surround-view camera system and Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a range of safety features, including collision mitigation braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, though it experienced a false collision warning during testing.