2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from the typical minivan. Imagining an off-road version with all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance was intriguing, but the Carnival relied on its distinctive design, upscale interior, and advanced technology to stand out. Available in various trims, the Carnival's pricing ranged from $35,795 to $49,595, excluding additional fees. The SX trim, with its Storm Blue paint, showcased a sophisticated appearance with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and stylish roof pillar trim. Inside, the dual screens and sunroofs added a touch of luxury, while the quality materials and robust transmission shifter enhanced the overall experience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, despite its age, maintained an attractive and familiar design. It avoided the trend of oversized grilles, opting for a clean, car-like styling with slim headlights and a distinctive rear taillight design. The SRT models featured subtle yet unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood and specialized wheels. The Durango offered various appearance packages, allowing for customization with options like the Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange accents. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable environment with available luxury features like Nappa leather and heated seats. The Durango's colour palette expanded for 2023, adding new vibrant options.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and featured driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. However, the lack of all-wheel drive and hybrid options was a drawback, especially in adverse weather conditions. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, though real-world testing showed slightly higher figures. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission performed smoothly. The brakes, while generally reliable, experienced a one-time fade during a mountain descent. The Carnival's ride quality varied depending on the load, offering a firm ride with a single occupant and a softer experience when fully loaded.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive standard in Canada. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, available on higher trims, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 horsepower, while the SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, generating 710 horsepower. The Hellcat's acceleration was exhilarating, though its size made it less agile on twisty roads. The Durango's adaptive-damping suspension, performance tires, and Brembo brakes ensured manageable handling despite its power.

The 2023 Kia Carnival defied typical minivan conventions with its SUV-like driving position and centre console layout. It offered various upholstery options, with the SX trim featuring genuine leather. The Carnival's interior included a three-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the placement of controls for these features was distracting. The SX trim's VIP Lounge Seats provided luxury but limited cargo space and accessibility to the third row. The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious, and the cargo area offered 1,139 litres of volume behind it. Removing the second-row seats expanded the cargo capacity to 4,110 litres, surpassing even the Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2023 Dodge Durango accommodated either six or seven passengers, with various seating configurations. It offered competitive interior space compared to other midsize SUVs, though it lagged in cargo capacity, providing 487 litres with all seats in place and 2,409 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Durango featured ample small-item storage, including a wireless charging pad and USB ports. While a power liftgate was available, the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback for higher trims. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing up to 2,812 kilograms and V8 models up to 3,946 kilograms.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment screens, offering a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. However, the Bose audio system was underwhelming. The Carnival featured innovative tech like Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera. The voice recognition system had limitations, and the Kia Connect subscription was inactive during testing.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch screen with the Uconnect 5 system. The infotainment experience was comparable to newer rivals, with responsive and easy-to-use features. The SRT models included performance-oriented apps and unique animations. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist standard across all trims. The rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit Assist added unique safety elements. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy for its accuracy and reliability. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2023 Dodge Durango had mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal score in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, but other driver-assist technologies were not standard across all trims.