2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

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, showcased dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, adding a touch of sophistication to the interior. The dual power sunroofs and flashy dashboard trim mirrored the exterior's elegance, while the interior materials ensured the minivan didn't feel cheap. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered unimaginative.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained a more traditional SUV appearance, with subtle differences between the RX 350 and RX 350h models. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its performance-tuned design, featuring a blacked-out grille, matte-black wheels, and aggressive bumper designs. While the RX models were not considered particularly gorgeous, they offered a cleaner, minimalistic interior with contemporary textures and detailing. The RX 350h Luxury trim boasted beautiful Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a more subdued black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This front-wheel-drive minivan offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and featured Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. Despite its power, the Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain, which could have improved its fuel economy. During testing, the Carnival averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above its rated consumption. The V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly, although the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h model, which featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, achieving 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its athleticism, while the RX 350h provided a quieter and more fuel-efficient ride. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing, averaging 11.3 L/100 km.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with three types of upholstery available across its trims. The SX trim featured genuine leather upholstery, although it felt stiff and dry. The Carnival's three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated steering wheel added to its comfort. The VIP Lounge Seats in the SX trim provided a luxurious experience but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 4,110 litres, surpassing many SUVs. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the smart power liftgate revealed a deep cargo well with 1,139 litres of space.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with its premium leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured standard-grade leather and larger side bolsters for a sportier feel. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support but limited headroom. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the back seat folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some competitors.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering lush graphics and a seamless presentation. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was considered mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera. The Kia Connect subscription was inactive during testing, limiting the voice recognition system's effectiveness.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and an Intelligent Assistant. While the system generally performed well, it had some limitations, such as the inability to view multiple screen menus simultaneously and issues with reflections. The available head-up display and dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel were also noted as potential sources of distraction.

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 EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a Safe Exit Assist system. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, alerting the owner if a child or pet was left inside. The Highway Driving Assist technology was praised for its accuracy and smooth operation. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Carnival as a Top Safety Pick, although the standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. While the safety features generally operated with refinement, some irritations were noted, such as the front cross-traffic alert system's reliance on visual indicators and the curve-speed reduction tech's reactive nature. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, although these features were not tested during the review.