2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

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 19-inch machined-finish wheels, simulated wood trim, and SynTex leather, while the SX trim added black wheels and real leather, along with VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-inspired design included features like skid plates, a floating roof, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them into the vehicle's character lines, maintaining a sleek look. The Carnival's design was praised for its sharp, angular lines, making it a standout in its segment.

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, resulted in an upscale appearance even in the base trim. The interior was designed to offer a more premium feel, with features like a tall hood visible from the driver's seat, enhancing the overall driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, based on the SR5 trim, celebrated its heritage with retro body stripes, a heritage grille, and bronze accents. This special edition added a nostalgic touch to the 4Runner's rugged design, appealing to those who appreciated the classic truck-based SUV look. The interior, while purposeful, featured ample plastic but maintained a solid and quality feel. The controls were straightforward and easy to use, even with gloves on, making it a practical choice for those who valued simplicity and functionality.

The 4Runner's design paid homage to its truck-based roots, offering a timeless appeal. While the interior lacked some modern touches, it provided a sense of durability and reliability. The 4Runner's design was well-suited for off-road adventures, with features like a high ground clearance and off-roading technologies enhancing its capability. Despite its retro charm, the 4Runner's design remained relevant, appealing to those who appreciated a classic SUV aesthetic.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a new 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's towing capacity was 1,587.5 kilograms, making it a practical choice for families with towing needs. The vehicle offered four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, some drivers experienced delayed downshift responses in Smart mode, particularly when navigating corners or hills. Switching to Sport mode helped alleviate this issue. The Carnival's fuel economy was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 10.8 L/100 km.

Dynamically, the Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and minimal tire noise. However, it could feel stiff over rough surfaces and bouncy over drainage dips, suggesting it might perform better when loaded with passengers and cargo.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Power was delivered to a standard four-wheel-drive system through a five-speed automatic transmission, offering a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner's fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with testing averaging 13.9 L/100 km. The vehicle offered two 4WD systems, with the Limited trim featuring a full-time 4WD system. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select.

The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, handling mud and water with ease. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse. The 4Runner's powertrain performed well on inclines, maintaining a steady speed without gear hunting. However, its handling on dry roads revealed limitations in tire grip and steering response, highlighting its truck-based construction.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality with its minivan design, though the SUV-style dashboard and centre console limited storage space compared to competitors. Most trims featured eight-passenger seating, with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim offered 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 third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Carnival's rear cargo area was spacious, offering 1,139 litres of volume behind the third-row seat. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down rear window, enhancing ventilation. The interior offered comfortable seats, with the Limited trim providing ventilated leather seats. The 40 ASE test vehicle featured SofTex artificial leather. The 4Runner's second-row seating was roomy, with good legroom and headroom. A third-row seat was available but compromised cargo space and comfort. The cargo area offered 1,337 litres of space behind the second-row seat, with additional storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The 4Runner's tailgate doubled as a seat, providing a convenient spot for post-adventure clean-ups.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim level. The LX trim featured analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. Starting with the EX+ trim, the Carnival offered 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 and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, though a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was more traditional, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and connected services. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions, and voice recognition performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival 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 IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The 4Runner's adaptive cruise control performed well, though lane-departure warning could be irritating. The NHTSA rated the 4Runner with four stars overall, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance.