2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Kia Carnival

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, all of which added sophistication and a sense of quality. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained a practical and comfortable interior, although the black alloy wheels were considered somewhat uninspired.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura MDX was praised for its modern and refined exterior, highlighted by a large shield grille, rakish headlights, and a sleek lower bumper area. Inside, the MDX offered a high-tech but busy environment, with a centre console filled with controls that could be overwhelming at first. The MDX was available in several trims, including the sporty A-Spec and the luxurious Type S Ultra, which featured ambient cabin lighting, open-pore wood inserts, and 16-way power-adjustable front seats. The Type S Ultra also boasted massaging front seats and a top-end 25-speaker ELS sound system, enhancing its luxury appeal.

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 featured driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. However, the lack of all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain was a drawback, especially in adverse weather conditions. The Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly, although the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. Overall, the Carnival offered a firm, sporty ride quality, with a softer ride when fully loaded.

The 2024 Acura MDX, particularly the Type S Ultra, featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System, providing strong acceleration and a comfortable ride. The MDX's adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes contributed to its agility and ride comfort. The Integrated Dynamics System offered various driving modes, including Sport+ and Lift mode, enhancing its versatility. The MDX's towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms, and its steering and handling were likened to that of a luxury sedan.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with three types of upholstery and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats in the second row, which were heated, ventilated, and fully reclining, though they limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival's maximum cargo capacity reached 4,110 litres. The third-row seat provided adequate legroom and included USB ports and cupholders. The Carnival's smart power liftgate revealed a deep cargo well with 1,139 litres of space, ideal for sports equipment.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with three rows of seating, with the first two rows offering comfort and support, while the third row was more suitable for children. The MDX provided 512 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded, and a maximum of 2,690 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The Type S Ultra featured a second-row bench with a fold-down centre console and integrated cupholders. The centre console offered ample storage, though the centre stack of controls was considered cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and 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, enhancing convenience and communication within the vehicle.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was criticized for its clumsy interface, relying on a touchpad rather than a touchscreen. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The MDX also featured a digital instrument panel and wireless device charging. The placement of charging ports and the touchpad/charging pad packaging were well-designed, though the overall infotainment experience was less intuitive compared to competitors.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was 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 Carnival's Highway Driving Assist technology was praised for its accuracy and reliability. The 2023 Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a robust array of safety technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The MDX also included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display from the Platinum Elite grade. The 2022 MDX, which shares its safety scores with the 2024 model, received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. However, the infotainment system's touchpad interface posed a potential distraction for drivers.