2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Buick Encore GX

The 2023 Buick Encore GX departed from Buick's storied design history, presenting a style that neither embraced retro elements nor ventured into new territory. Its rounded exterior and tall stance resulted in awkward proportions that failed to capture the SUV appeal that has drawn many buyers to this segment. Even with the optional Sport Touring Package, which included subtle enhancements like different bumpers and a black mesh grille, the Encore GX's appearance remained understated. Inside, the top-trim Essence model offered expected features like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, but the interior's plastic components reminded us of its position at the lower end of Buick's lineup. The dashboard and door panels evoked a 1990s design aesthetic, with the instrument cluster being the only standout feature.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival distinguished itself with a unique style and upscale image, making it an attractive option in the minivan category. The SX trim, with its high-tech lighting, intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, contributed to its appealing look. Inside, the Carnival's dual instrumentation and infotainment screens added sophistication, while the dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light. The interior materials were of good quality, and the transmission shifter's solid action imparted a sense of quality. However, the black alloy wheels were less imaginative, and the genuine leather upholstery felt stiff rather than luxurious.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX in Canada came equipped with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While the engine delivered a pleasant note, power delivery was not smooth, requiring patience to extract its full potential. The Encore GX excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, thanks to its well-damped suspension and active noise cancellation. However, it felt ponderous and awkward, with slow and lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, boasted a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. While lacking all-wheel drive and a hybrid option, the V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated smoothly, and Sport mode proved effective on steep inclines. However, the brakes experienced fade during a mountain descent, though they performed well in other situations. The Carnival's ride quality varied depending on the load, with a firm, sporty feel when lightly loaded and a softer ride with a full complement of passengers.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered competitive passenger space, with headroom comparable to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. However, the Subaru Crosstrek provided more front legroom, and the Kia Seltos offered more rear-seat space. The Encore GX's cargo capacity was respectable, with 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with them folded. The front seats were positioned close together, limiting spaciousness, and lacked thigh support. Despite the limited cabin size, Buick made efficient use of space for small-item storage, with large door pockets and a space-efficient wireless charging pad. The instrumentation was well-executed, with clear information conveyance.

The 2023 Kia Carnival defied minivan conventions with its SUV-like driving position and centre console arrangement. It offered three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim feeling stiff. The SX trim featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the controls for these features were distracting to use. The Carnival's second-row VIP Lounge Seats in the SX trim were luxurious but limited cargo space and accessibility to the third row. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Carnival provided ample cargo capacity, with 1,139 litres behind the third row and up to 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Optional features included a navigation system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with attractive graphics, though the screen size was modest.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was underwhelming. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2023 Buick Encore GX offered standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The Encore GX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and the Safe Exit Assist system warned occupants of approaching vehicles. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy for its accuracy and smooth operation. The Carnival was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating.