2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to build on its established reputation as a top seller in the compact crossover segment. Its design, which had matured significantly since its 2013 redesign, maintained a sophisticated and grown-up appearance. The exterior featured Nissan's signature V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof design. Inside, the Rogue's cabin was characterized by a layered dash with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a refined and detailed look. The centre console was a standout feature, offering ample storage space and a modern electronic gear selector. The Rogue's interior was both attractive and comfortable, with Nissan's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and a spacious second row providing ample legroom.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from traditional minivans. Its exterior design was striking, with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. The Carnival's interior was equally impressive, featuring dual 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment screens that elevated its upscale image. The SX trim offered luxurious features like dual power sunroofs and genuine leather upholstery, although the latter felt somewhat stiff. The Carnival's interior materials and robust transmission shifter contributed to a sense of quality, while its spacious cabin and innovative seating options, such as the VIP Lounge Seats, provided comfort and versatility.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's performance was significantly enhanced by its new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, which delivered 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This represented an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% boost in torque compared to the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology allowed for improved fuel efficiency, with estimates of 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway. The Rogue's CVT transmission offered a wider range of gear ratios, resulting in more responsive acceleration and smoother passing. The chassis and suspension provided a controlled ride with minimal body roll, while the electric power-assisted steering offered good feedback.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. Despite its lack of AWD and hybrid options, the Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated smoothly, and Sport mode enhanced performance on challenging roads. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, although they performed well in other driving conditions. The Carnival's ride quality was firm yet comfortable, with a softer feel when fully loaded.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in providing practical interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, and a centre console bin. Rear-seat passengers also had access to storage options and charging ports. The Rogue's cargo area offered up to 1,033 litres of space, expandable to 2,098 litres with the second row folded flat, making it ideal for carrying large loads.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with seating configurations that catered to various needs. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats, which provided luxurious comfort but limited maximum cargo volume to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival's cargo capacity expanded to 4,110 litres, surpassing that of a Chevrolet Suburban. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the smart power liftgate revealed a deep cargo well with 1,139 litres of space. The Carnival's interior design and features, such as the three-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats, added to its appeal.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue boasted a comprehensive technology suite, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist system, offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control and steering assist, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival impressed with its dual 12.3-inch digital screens, offering a visually stunning and user-friendly interface. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. While the 12-speaker Bose audio system was underwhelming, features like Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera added convenience. The Carnival's voice recognition system had limitations, but its overall tech package was comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, offering standard safety technologies like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist provided advanced driver-assist features, enhancing safety in various driving conditions. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range of safety features, with standard collision warnings and avoidance systems across all trims. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, while adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist added convenience and safety. The Carnival's Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and reliable assistance on highways. The IIHS awarded the Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating, although the standard headlights received a Poor rating.