2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more upscale look with 19-inch machined-finish wheels and simulated leather. The SX trim replaced the standard grille with a mirrored grid-pattern design and added black wheels, appealing to modern tastes. The SX Prestige trim focused on interior upgrades, including VIP Lounge Seats and real leather. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling, with its floating roof design and robust roof-rack, gave it a distinctive appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, the Carnival's design was considered appealing, with sharp angles and a conservative yet tasteful approach.

Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard and center console resembling a crossover. The interior looked upscale even in the base LX trim, which featured a two-tone black-and-gray color scheme. Higher trims offered more color options, including the attention-grabbing Tuscan Umber. The Carnival's interior was designed to be both stylish and functional, with various seating configurations and materials that matched its unique personality.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its traditional minivan image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. While most trims featured 18-inch wheels, the XSE and Platinum trims offered 20-inch wheels for a sportier look. The Sienna was available in multiple trims, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim was expected to be popular among value-conscious shoppers, offering features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. The Sienna could seat seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option supporting three-across car seats in the middle row.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, while the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it had a delayed downshift response, particularly noticeable when cornering or climbing hills. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 22 mpg. Dynamically, the Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive steering. However, it could feel stiff and bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, producing a combined 245 horsepower. While the power output was lower than some competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were praised for their nimbleness and ease of driving. The Sienna offered EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. The Sienna's light steering made it easy to maneuver in the city, and it had a tidy turning radius. However, the CVT transmission was not the best-sounding, and the Sienna's acceleration was considered lackluster compared to more powerful competitors.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered practicality with its minivan design, although the SUV-style dashboard and center console limited storage space. The LX trim featured individual captain's chairs in the second row, with an optional middle seat for added flexibility. Higher trims offered power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with 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 rearmost cargo area provided ample storage space. The smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate had their pros and cons, with the liftgate offering a deep storage well and 40.2 cubic feet of volume behind the third-row seat. Folding the third-row seats created 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and removing the second-row seats increased it to 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with plenty of cubbies, nooks, and bins. The open cubby below the center console and a long shelf on the dashboard provided ample space for personal items. The Sienna's minivan platform made excellent use of space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. Total cargo space was 101 cubic feet, although the middle row of seats couldn't be removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans for added support. The Sienna's third-row seats provided genuine legroom for adults, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the LX trim. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and voice recognition. The Carnival also included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication within the vehicle. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with touchscreen control and device mirroring capability. The SX Prestige trim offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. While the technology was intuitive, it required time to set up and learn.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface had physical buttons, which were functional but felt outdated. The Sienna's technology was reliable, with a 9-inch touchscreen that didn't look undersized. The 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality. However, the interface had quirks, such as requiring a wired connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and lacking a dedicated button for Android Auto.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system was a Level 2 driving aid, but it was found to be more of an adversary than a partner. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim included a surround-view camera system, and the SX Prestige had a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model. While it lacked some gimmicky features found in competitors, the Sienna prioritized safety for families.