2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from the typical minivan. It featured a distinctive design with high-tech front and rear lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, which contributed to its upscale image. The SX Prestige trim, in particular, was noted for its attractive Astra Blue paint and sophisticated interior, which included dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality materials that enhanced the overall feel of the vehicle. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered somewhat uninspired.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as visually striking as some of its competitors, maintained an attractive and practical design. Its restrained bodywork and chunky front end provided a refreshing change from the aggressive fascias common in the industry. The Equinox's interior, though not as modern as some rivals, offered practicality and ease of use, with a focus on functionality over flash. The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats, contributing to a comfortable driving experience. Despite its somewhat dated interior design, the Equinox was praised for its practicality and approachable nature.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a satisfying driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The Carnival's EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving was decent, though it lacked the option for AWD or a hybrid powertrain, which could have improved its performance in wet conditions and fuel economy. The minivan's brakes performed well in most situations, though they experienced some fade during a mountain descent. Overall, the Carnival offered a firm, sporty ride quality, with a softer ride when fully loaded.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While the Equinox handled low-speed acceleration adequately, it struggled to deliver strong performance at higher speeds. The six-speed automatic transmission, though less advanced than competitors' offerings, provided a straightforward driving experience. The Equinox's AWD system required manual engagement, which was a minor inconvenience. However, the vehicle's electronically assisted brake-by-wire system and well-sorted suspension contributed to a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, with tight and accurate steering.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with a design that felt more like an SUV than a traditional minivan. The SX Prestige trim featured genuine leather upholstery, though it was noted to be somewhat stiff. The Carnival's three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated steering wheel added to the comfort. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row provided a luxurious experience but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without these seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo capacity of 145.1 cubic feet, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as spacious as some competitors, provided ample passenger space and a practical interior layout. With 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Equinox offered decent storage capacity. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, cup holders for every passenger, and a standard power liftgate on the Premier trim. Despite its smaller cargo area compared to some rivals, the Equinox's interior was comfortable and functional, with plenty of space for passengers and smaller items.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a complimentary one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was considered mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, though it was not widely used by teenagers during testing.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offerings were more straightforward, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. The 8-inch touchscreen, though smaller than some competitors, was crisp and clear, with quick response times and good voice recognition software. The Equinox included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless charging pad on the Premier trim. While the infotainment system lacked the visual flash of some rivals, it was practical and user-friendly, with customizable icons and additional hard buttons for easy control.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System were notable features, enhancing safety for passengers. The Carnival's Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and accurate semi-autonomous driving assistance. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick for the 2022 calendar year, though the NHTSA had not performed crash tests at the time of review.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox also offered a range of standard advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked genuine level two autonomous driving technology. The NHTSA awarded the Equinox five stars overall in crash tests, but the IIHS rated it poorly in the moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.