2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Honda Passport

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 equipped with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and flashy dashboard trim, enhancing the vehicle's sophisticated interior. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained practicality with its robust transmission shifter and quality interior materials, although the black alloy wheels were considered uninspired.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its previous-generation design, with minor updates like a more upright grille and squared-off corners. The TrailSport trim aimed to be the most rugged, featuring all-terrain tires and a slightly wider track. However, the Passport's rugged appearance was more aesthetic than functional, with plastic skid plates and no lift kit. Inside, the Passport offered a simple and utilitarian design, with physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen. The TrailSport trim included black leather upholstery with orange stitching, but the overall interior was straightforward and unassuming, with a focus on practicality and storage space.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was powered by 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. Despite its front-wheel-drive configuration, the Carnival provided a satisfying driving experience, with a firm and sporty ride quality. However, the absence of all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain limited its performance in wet conditions and fuel efficiency, with an average consumption of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2024 Honda Passport also featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport's naturally aspirated engine required higher revs for peak torque, impacting fuel economy, which was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The TrailSport trim included mechanical changes for off-road capability, such as a wider track and tuned suspension. The Passport's towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms, surpassing some competitors. Despite elevated road noise at highway speeds, the Passport's steering was well-balanced and accurate, providing a confident driving experience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and SUV-like centre console. It featured three types of upholstery, with the SX trim offering genuine leather. The Carnival's interior included a three-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The SX trim's VIP Lounge Seats provided luxury but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival's maximum cargo capacity reached 4,110 litres, surpassing many SUVs. The third-row seat was spacious, with USB ports and cupholders, and the smart power liftgate revealed 1,139 litres of cargo volume behind the third row.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 2,854 litres with the rear seats folded. The Passport comfortably accommodated five adults, with ample cupholders and a redesigned centre console for increased storage. The front-seat environment felt less airy due to the new console design, but the Passport maintained practicality with its spacious interior and easy-to-load trunk area.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a luxurious presentation similar to a Mercedes-Benz. 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, enhancing convenience and communication within the vehicle.

The 2024 Honda Passport, in contrast, offered an 8-inch touchscreen, which felt small given the vehicle's size. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system displayed turn-by-turn directions on the driver's information display, which could be intrusive in city driving. The TrailSport trim's seven-speaker audio system was deemed thin, with better options available in competitors.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, 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 particularly praised for its accuracy and smooth operation. The IIHS rated the Carnival as a Top Safety Pick, although the standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2024 Honda Passport included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Passport received mixed ratings from safety organizations. The IIHS rated it "Acceptable" in the passenger-side small overlap crash test and "Marginal" in the updated side-impact crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Passport five stars overall but gave it four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests.