2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Chevrolet Traverse

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, all contributing to its upscale image. The SX trim, in particular, boasted dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality interior materials that enhanced its sophisticated feel. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained practicality with its spacious interior and advanced technology, making it a compelling choice for families seeking a modern minivan experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse offered a rugged yet refined look, especially with the introduction of the Z71 trim aimed at moderate off-roading. The Z71 model featured gloss black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint, adding to its visual appeal. Inside, the Traverse provided a Jet Black interior with Torch Red accents, creating a lively atmosphere. The vehicle's design focused on practicality, with Smart Slide second-row seats and a power-folding third row enhancing accessibility and cargo capacity. Overall, the Traverse combined style with functionality, catering to those seeking a versatile SUV for both urban and adventurous driving.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This front-wheel-drive minivan featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. Despite its lack of all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Carnival provided a satisfying driving experience with its powerful engine and smooth transmission. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, although they performed well in other situations. The Carnival's ride quality varied depending on the load, offering a firm and sporty feel with fewer passengers and a softer ride when fully loaded.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, replaced its previous V6 engine with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This new engine offered more power and torque than its predecessor, enhancing acceleration and passing capabilities. The Traverse came standard with all-wheel drive, featuring a dual-clutch system in the Z71 trim for improved traction. The ride quality was commendable, even with all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance. The brakes provided a progressive feel, and the fuel-saving stop-and-start feature operated seamlessly. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 11.3 combined.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with seating configurations accommodating up to eight passengers. The SX trim featured VIP Lounge Seats in the second row, providing luxurious comfort but limiting cargo capacity to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival's maximum cargo space expanded to 4,110 litres, surpassing even the Chevrolet Suburban. The third-row seat was suitable for adults, and the smart power liftgate facilitated easy access to the cargo area. However, the placement of controls for seat heating and ventilation was distracting, and the centre console armrest was too low for some drivers.

In comparison, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse provided seating for eight in the LT and Z71 trims, with the RS model offering second-row captain's chairs for seven-passenger capacity. The Smart Slide second-row seats and power-folding third row enhanced accessibility and cargo flexibility. The Traverse offered 648 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with the second and third rows folded. The cabin featured numerous storage compartments, including a hidden area under the centre console. Visibility was generally good, although the third-row view was somewhat restricted by the vehicle's design.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX impressed with its 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, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect services. However, the Bose audio system was underwhelming, and the voice recognition system had limitations. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera, enhancing convenience and communication within the vehicle.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse featured a significant upgrade with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, complemented by an 11-inch digital instrument display. The system ran on Google-based software, offering intuitive voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The wireless charging pad was effective, and physical controls for volume and HVAC functions were appreciated. The Traverse also introduced Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, expanding its functionality to single-lane roadways. However, the placement of headlight controls within the infotainment system was less convenient.

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 rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit Assist added unique safety elements. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy, providing smooth and reliable assistance on highways and rural roads. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although its standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse offered a wide range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The surround-view parking camera and rear pedestrian alert added to its safety arsenal. While crash test results from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of testing, the Traverse's comprehensive safety suite provided peace of mind during our drive.