2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, standing nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and requiring a significant amount of space to park. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an abundance of technology. The Escalade ESV was even longer, stretching the wheelbase by 15 inches. The Escalade, along with its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts, was designed for show, making a statement on the road. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits, which helped mask its mass. The interior was luxurious in the first row, with a 38-inch curved screen and fine wood inlays, but the allure faded in the second and third rows, where parts from cheaper GM vehicles were evident.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival relied on style, unique interior fittings, and impressive technology to stand out in the minivan category. It came in various trims, with the SX Prestige offering an upscale image. The Carnival's design included high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim. Inside, dual screens added sophistication, and the interior materials were of good quality. The Carnival's ride quality varied depending on the load, with a firm, sporty feel when lightly loaded and a softer ride when fully occupied. Overall, the Carnival was satisfying to drive, offering a better experience than some of its competitors.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing a towing capacity of up to 8,200 pounds on the RWD model. However, its acceleration felt heavy, and the 10-speed automatic transmission was not particularly eager. The Escalade-V addressed this with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, but it seemed excessive. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided better fuel economy and smooth torque delivery. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, but its magnetic dampers and air suspension made it more maneuverable than many large SUVs.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and was EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined. The Carnival lacked AWD and a hybrid powertrain, which would have been beneficial in certain conditions. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The Carnival's brakes were generally reliable, though they experienced some fade during a mountain descent. The ride quality was firm and sporty when lightly loaded, but softened with a full load.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted a spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The interior was well-designed, with simple controls and an optional front console refrigerator. Power-retractable side steps and an air suspension made access and loading easier. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and SUV-like center console. It came with various upholstery options, including genuine leather in the SX Prestige trim. The Carnival's interior featured a three-zone climate control system and VIP Lounge Seats in the second row, which were comfortable but limited cargo space. The third-row seat was spacious, with USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival provided ample cargo capacity, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear displays. It offered Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, and night vision with pedestrian detection. The 36-speaker AKG audio system delivered an immersive experience, and the front seats offered massage functions. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, and the LED headlights were bright.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige had 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering impressive graphics and features. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, but teenagers preferred their own devices.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking and a Safety Alert seat. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. It offered a rear-seat reminder system and a Safe Exit System. The EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, but the NHTSA had not tested it.