2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Lexus GX

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 trim, in particular, was noted for its dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, adding a touch of sophistication to the interior. The dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light, while the interior materials were of high quality, preventing the minivan from feeling cheap. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered uninspired.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX boasted a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and significant ground clearance. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, offering exclusive paint colours and a limited production run. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs. The interior, however, was marred by an excessive amount of plastic, which detracted from its luxury appeal. Nevertheless, the GX offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery, maintaining some luxury touches.

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 was rated to consume 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving and offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms. The Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, which could have improved its performance in wet or winter conditions. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The brakes, however, showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, although they performed well in other situations. The Carnival offered a firm, sporty ride quality, with a softer ride when fully loaded.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 provided a satisfying driving experience with its linear power delivery. The GX had a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms but lagged behind other SUVs in terms of fuel economy, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving. The GX's weight contributed to its rolling through corners, but it remained predictable and controllable. The brakes were strong and reliable, and the Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential enhanced its 4WD capabilities.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and an SUV-like centre console. It provided three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The Carnival SX featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The VIP Lounge Seats in the SX trim were luxurious but limited cargo space and accessibility to the third row. The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area offered 1,139 litres of space behind the third row, with a maximum of 4,110 litres when the second-row seats were removed.

The 2023 Lexus GX retained ample cubby space for small items, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. The GX's interior featured hard buttons, which were appreciated for their ease of use. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and good legroom, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 328 litres behind the rear seats and a maximum of 1,832 litres with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering lush graphics and a dynamic display. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre, and the Kia Connect subscription was inactive during testing. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and smartphone compatibility. The Lexus Enform Remote provided remote-start capabilities, and the Mark Levinson audio system delivered premium sound. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in newer Lexus models. The GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist were standard from the EX trim. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy for its accuracy and smooth operation. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although the standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it featured the Lexus Safety System+ with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date, providing a reassuring level of protection.