2023 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

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 attractive appearance, although the black alloy wheels were considered uninspired. Inside, the Carnival boasted dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, adding a touch of sophistication. The interior materials were of high quality, preventing the minivan from feeling cheap, and the dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a more conservative design, which aged gracefully. The Highline R-Line trim, with its sporty appearance and 20-inch machined-finish wheels, gave the Tiguan a more expensive look. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials, creating an upscale cabin environment. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system were criticized for their usability issues. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered excellent outward visibility and a nimble feel, making it easy to park and maneuver.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, although the test vehicle averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The minivan provided a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms. While the V6 engine offered ample power, the absence of all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain was noted as a drawback, especially in wet weather conditions. The brakes performed well in most situations, but a one-time fading issue was observed during a mountain descent.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Tiguan offered driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings for the AWD system. The fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres. While the Tiguan's powertrain was not the smoothest, its dynamic qualities were praised, offering a stable and predictable driving experience. The variable-assist steering and excellent tire grip contributed to its enjoyable handling.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with a design that resembled an SUV more than a traditional minivan. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather available in the SX trim. The test vehicle included a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Carnival's second-row VIP Lounge Seats provided comfort but limited cargo capacity to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the maximum cargo space expanded to 4,110 litres. The third-row seat was suitable for adults, and the smart power liftgate revealed a deep well with 1,139 litres of cargo volume.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The test vehicle featured comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The cargo area was generous, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering an adjustable load floor height. With AWD, the Tiguan provided 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres behind the front seats. The third-row seat, available in certain configurations, reduced cargo room to 340 litres. The Tiguan's interior was criticized for its touch-sensing controls, which were difficult to use and distracting.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, enhancing the interior's appeal. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was deemed mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was criticized for its complexity and distracting touch-sensing controls. The voice-recognition system did not perform as expected, likely due to inactive subscriptions.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features added as you moved up the trim levels. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement inside the minivan, alerting the owner if a child or pet was left inside. The Carnival also offered adaptive cruise control, Safe Exit Assist, and a Junction Turning Detection system. The Highway Driving Assist technology was praised for its accuracy and smooth operation. The IIHS rated the Carnival as a Top Safety Pick, but the standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was praised for its effectiveness and subtle operation. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the Tiguan's driver’s door unlatched during a side-impact test, raising safety concerns. The IIHS had previously given the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply to the 2023 model year.