2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival, a fresh addition to the minivan segment, 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. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included features like a floating roof, roof rails, and a tall hood, 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 angles and conservative taste, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC maintained a balance between new and familiar design elements. The GLC 300, redesigned for the year, shared its platform with the C-Class sedan, featuring narrower taillights as a notable change. Despite its newness, the GLC retained a similar grille, roofline, and beltline, making it easily mistaken for its predecessor. This continuity was not necessarily negative, as the previous GLC had led the small luxury SUV class with its timeless and classy styling. The interior received a significant update, with a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, offering a modern and high-tech feel. The GLC Coupe models, carrying over from the previous year, maintained their coupe-like roofline and first-generation interior, which had aged well. Overall, the GLC exuded traditional luxury, appealing to those who preferred a classic design over sportiness.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine powered the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and steady acceleration. The Carnival offered four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it occasionally exhibited delayed downshift responses, particularly noticeable 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 Carnival's dynamic performance was characterized by a taut and athletic feel, with a flat cornering stance and minimal tire noise. However, it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces when lightly loaded.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The GLC 300 came standard with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive in Canada. Acceleration was smooth and linear, with an estimated 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds. While the GLC 300 offered ample power for highway merging and passing, it lacked the liveliness of some competitors. The brake pedal was effective but felt slightly soft, and the suspension prioritized comfort over sporty handling. The GLC 300 provided a smooth ride with a nearly silent cabin. The GLC Coupe continued with its older engine, offering similar performance, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe delivered a sportier experience with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in approximately 4.7 seconds.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench seat. The middle seat could slide forward, backward, or fold flat, providing flexibility for families. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and Ottoman-style leg rests, adding a touch of luxury. 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 provided 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 doors and liftgate offered convenience, though they could open unintentionally. Overall, the Carnival's interior was spacious and adaptable, catering to families' needs.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered comfortable front seats with ample adjustments and firm cushioning. The synthetic leather upholstery was convincingly grained, with real leather available for a smoother feel. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system. The GLC provided adequate storage with a large centre console bin, cupholders, and well-sized door pockets. The rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably, though headroom was slightly limited for taller passengers. The GLC's cargo area offered 620 litres of space, smaller than some rivals but sufficient for most needs. The rear seats folded flat for larger items, and the GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 500 litres, impacting rear headroom as well.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology offerings varied by trim. The LX trim featured traditional analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Starting with the EX+ trim, the Carnival boasted a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and UVO Link connected services. The EX+ and SX trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while the SX added a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. The Carnival's tech was generally intuitive, but a comprehensive quick reference guide was recommended for setup and learning.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new interior layout with an 11.9-inch touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and immediate responses. However, its lower placement on the dash made it more distracting to use. The MBUX infotainment system excelled in voice recognition, though it interrupted audio playback. The GLC's infotainment system lacked physical buttons, making adjustments more challenging. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system for audio enthusiasts.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features and advanced driving assistance systems. Standard equipment included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, active blind-spot and 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 included a surround-view camera system and a Blind View Monitor. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's crash-test results were not yet available, but it was expected to perform well based on Mercedes' reputation. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive headlights. The optional Intelligent Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The GLC Coupe shared similar safety features, with cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera as standard. The GLC's systems were praised for their reliability and smooth operation.