2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the automotive market, 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 further enhanced the interior with real leather, textured metal dashboard trim, and the luxurious VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's exterior design included SUV-like features such as skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, while the sliding door tracks were cleverly integrated into the vehicle's character lines. Overall, the Carnival's design was sharp and angular, offering a more conservative and upscale appearance compared to its minivan counterparts.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented an artful design with a long hood, dramatic flanks, and a stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance. However, the excessive gray body cladding detracted from its overall appeal. The GT Turbo model featured black wheels that blended into the dark lower body, making them nearly invisible. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale cabin with quality materials, including leather upholstery and polished metal accents. The GT Turbo trim boasted a tasteful combination of off-white leather, a chocolate brown centre console, and black dashboard elements, creating an entry-level luxury SUV feel. Despite its premium pricing, the CX-30's interior design and materials justified its cost, offering a refined and elegant driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a robust 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 effortless acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated seamlessly. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, 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, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing. The front-wheel-drive Carnival felt athletic and taut, with a flat cornering stance, although it could be stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the base GX trim's 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The GS and GT models featured a 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the GT Turbo boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive provided a dynamic driving experience. The GT Turbo's acceleration was robust, but the powertrain could be caught flat-footed in heavy traffic. The CX-30's fuel efficiency improved to 8.2 L/100 km combined, but its small 48-litre fuel tank limited its range. The CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, offering a rewarding driving experience with its G-Vectoring Control Plus and responsive handling. However, its suspension struggled with speed bumps and humps, impacting ride comfort.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering versatile seating and cargo options. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating with a second-row bench seat that could slide, fold, or be removed for added flexibility. The SX trim introduced VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests, providing a luxurious experience. However, these seats couldn't be removed or folded flat, limiting cargo space. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rear cargo area offered ample space, with 1,139 litres behind the third row and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally. Overall, the Carnival provided exceptional interior space and versatility.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a comfortable cabin with standard dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a power moonroof. However, the front passenger seat had limited manual adjustments. Rear passengers benefited from standard air conditioning vents, but legroom was tight. The CX-30's storage space was reasonable, with a centre armrest bin, glove compartment, and door panel bins. The GT and GT Turbo trims featured paddle shifters and a power liftgate, revealing 572 litres of cargo space. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to 1,280 litres, but these measurements were modest for the segment. Despite its upscale interior, the CX-30's limited rear legroom and cargo space were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with the LX trim's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX+ trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. It also included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Passenger View camera. The SX trim added a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. While the technology was intuitive, the extensive features required time to set up and learn.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had notable flaws, including the lack of a touchscreen display and conversational voice recognition. The centre console controls required attention, and the steering-wheel controls were difficult to read. The system's voice recognition was only partially effective, and the absence of a tuning knob was inconvenient. Despite these shortcomings, the 8.8-inch display offered pleasing graphics and a logical menu structure. The CX-30 included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with Turbos adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system.

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

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 prioritized safety, earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It featured rear side airbags, seatbelt tensioners, and other updates. The GX trim included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the GS trim added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The GT and GT Turbo trims offered an adaptive front lighting system, surround-view camera, parking sensors, and a head-up display. The CX-30's safety systems worked effectively, although the forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking could be overly sensitive.