2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Kia Carnival presented a fresh design approach, distinguishing itself with unique elements across its various trims. The base 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 upholstery. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included features like skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, contributing to its appealing and angular design. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and centre console, offering an upscale appearance even in its base trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's historical design cues, opting for a more modern but less distinctive look. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that didn't quite capture the SUV aesthetic. The Sport Touring Package attempted to enhance the design with unique bumpers, a black mesh grille, and two-tone wheels, but the changes were subtle. Inside, the Encore GX Essence trim offered leather upholstery and a range of features, but the interior design felt reminiscent of outdated styles. The instrument cluster was a highlight, with its well-framed digital display, but overall, the Encore GX's design lacked the flair and innovation seen in its competitors.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a robust 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 offered a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival featured multiple driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used, although it occasionally exhibited delayed downshifts. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a tested average of 10.8 L/100 km. The Carnival's dynamic performance was characterized by a taut and athletic feel, although it could be slightly stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX, available in Canada with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, produced 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It came standard with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Encore GX's acceleration felt stronger than its specs suggested, but power delivery was not always smooth due to the turbocharged engine and transmission. The ride quality was comfortable, with a quiet cabin enhanced by active noise cancellation. However, the Encore GX's driving experience was marred by ponderous handling and significant body roll, with slow and lifeless steering.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with versatile second-row configurations. The SX trim featured luxurious VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leg rests, although they limited cargo space. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area was spacious, with 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 massive 4,110 litres of cargo volume. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, front legroom was slightly less than the Subaru Crosstrek, and the Kia Seltos provided more rear-seat space. The Encore GX's cargo capacity was respectable, with 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with the seats folded. The front seats were positioned close together, affecting spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Despite limited cabin size, the Encore GX offered ample small-item storage, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with traditional analog gauges and a digital driver information centre in the LX trim. Higher trims, starting with EX+, offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, but a comprehensive quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Optional features included built-in navigation, a head-up display, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The Encore GX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with attractive graphics, although the screen size was modest by current standards.

The 2022 Kia Carnival boasted an extensive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of review.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2022, with top crash test ratings.