2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Lexus RX

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, dual power sunroofs, and quality interior materials that prevented it from feeling cheap. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered unimaginative. The interior was sophisticated, with a robust transmission shifter that added a sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX, built in Canada, offered a modern and sophisticated design with a shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase than its predecessor. The exterior styling was familiar yet fresh, with a spindle-style grille, upswept body sides, and a light-blade taillight design. The RX's interior was thoroughly modern, featuring fewer buttons and knobs, digital instrumentation, and a touchscreen display. The cabin quality was high, with options for NuLuxe artificial leather, genuine leather, and simulated suede. The RX was available in various trims, including hybrid options, with Canadian pricing starting at $58,650.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and was rated to consume 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Carnival lacked AWD and hybrid options, which could have improved its performance in wet conditions and fuel economy. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The brakes, however, showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty with a single driver but softened with a full load of passengers.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 AWD was estimated to average 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The turbo engine offered better performance at higher altitudes and improved fuel economy compared to the previous V6, though it lacked the same refinement. The RX 350 Executive trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion, while the F Sport 3 trim felt more secure with its adaptive suspension. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately 7.3 seconds.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and an SUV-like centre console. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The Carnival SX included 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 provided luxury but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo space of 4,110 litres. The third-row seat was spacious, and the smart power liftgate revealed 1,139 litres of cargo volume behind it.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 provided comfort with semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in the Executive trim. The F Sport 3 trim featured sportier seats with NuLuxe simulated leather. The back seat was roomy, with good leg support, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX offered improved cargo space over its predecessor, with 838 litres behind the second row and 1,308 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX boasted 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 three-year subscription to Kia Connect. However, the Bose audio system was considered mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface multimedia system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and various connected services. The Intelligent Assistant provided natural voice recognition, though it occasionally misinterpreted requests. The RX also featured a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, digital instrumentation, and available digital rearview mirror and digital key technology. A colour head-up display was available, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

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 EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a Safe Exit Assist system. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and accurate assistance. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New features included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also introduced Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. While LSS+ 3.0 was generally impressive, some features, like curve-speed reduction, were less effective. The adaptive cruise controls were difficult to use with polarized sunglasses due to the HUD's visibility issues.