2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive scene, showcased a distinctive design that set it apart from its competitors. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the LX and LX+ featuring a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The EX trim elevated the aesthetic 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, enhancing the Carnival's appeal. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them into the vehicle's design, maintaining a sleek and angular appearance that stood out in the minivan segment. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a stylish dashboard and centre console, offering an upscale look even in its base trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the new model year, maintained its signature look with subtle differences between the RX 350 and RX 350h models. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its 21-inch alloy wheels, lacked any hybrid-specific badges, offering a seamless appearance. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, distinguished itself with a bold Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling cues. Despite its popularity, the RX's design remained somewhat unbalanced, with a blunt nose and a wheelbase stretch that visually shortened the rear end. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach, featuring a new infotainment system and contemporary textures. The RX 350h Luxury model boasted Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Carnival offered various driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it occasionally exhibited delayed downshift responses, particularly on inclines. The Carnival's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km. The vehicle's dynamic performance was commendable, with a flat cornering stance and athletic feel, though it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. This model was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving, though testing showed a slightly higher 7.4 L/100 km. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It featured a Direct4 AWD system and a six-speed automatic transmission, achieving 100 km/h in about 6 seconds. Despite its performance, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 11.3 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering provided an engaging driving experience, though accessing driving modes required navigating the infotainment system.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering versatile seating configurations and ample cargo space. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating with a flexible second-row bench seat. The SX trim introduced VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests, though they limited maximum cargo volume. The Carnival's third-row seat provided comfort for adults and ample space for children, with a generous cargo area behind it. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival offered 1,139 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 2,460 litres with the seats folded, and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and luxury, with the RX 350h Luxury trim offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support but limited rear headroom. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,308 litres with the seats folded, matching the standard RX 350. While the new RX improved over its predecessor, it still fell short compared to some rivals in terms of cargo capacity.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured a range of infotainment options, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen system on the LX trim, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims, such as the EX+, included a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. The Carnival also offered a Passenger View camera and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on select trims. The SX trim featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked the depth of previous Harman Kardon systems. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant voice assistant. While the system generally performed well, it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The RX's touchscreen display allowed access to various menus, though it lacked the ability to view multiple screens simultaneously. The available head-up display featured dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

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. Higher trims added features like active blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating, though the NHTSA had not yet rated it.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. While the safety systems generally performed well, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.