2024 Toyota 4Runner 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, all contributing to its upscale image. The SX trim, with its dual power sunroofs and sophisticated dashboard trim, added a touch of luxury. Inside, the Carnival boasted dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, enhancing its modern appeal. The interior materials were of high quality, preventing the minivan from feeling cheap, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, albeit outdated, rugged design. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a brawny stance, suitable for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, enhancing its rugged personality. However, the interior showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology features. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen contributed to its dated appearance. Despite this, the 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and sturdy handles for off-road stability.

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 powertrain provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the lack of all-wheel drive and hybrid options limited its versatility in adverse weather conditions. The Carnival's brakes performed well in most situations, though they showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. Overall, the Carnival offered a satisfying driving experience, with a firm, sporty ride quality.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, produced 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, which offered more responsive acceleration and better fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it suitable for off-road adventures. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The engine and exhaust noise were prominent, and the soft suspension resulted in body roll and floatiness. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed during off-road excursions.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with three types of upholstery options. The SX trim featured genuine leather upholstery, though it felt stiff. The Carnival's three-zone automatic climate control system and heated and ventilated front seats added comfort. 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 habitable for adults, and the smart power liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, offered practicality with easy-to-use climate-control dials and driveline levers. The front seats provided ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range was a drawback for taller drivers. The second-row seats offered good legroom, though headroom was limited. The 4Runner's cargo capacity reached 1,337 litres behind the rear seats and 2,540 litres with the rear seats stowed. The lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were inconveniences, but the sliding glass rear window and party speakers added unique features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured impressive 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a luxurious presentation. The digital instrumentation changed its appearance based on the time of day, adding a surprise-and-delight element. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system, with its eight-inch touchscreen, offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TRD Pro model included a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured the music. The headliner console housed additional terrain controls, including Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. However, the lack of off-road specific apps and gauges was a drawback compared to competitors.

The 2023 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, alerting the owner if a child or pet was left inside. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy, 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 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. The IIHS gave it a "Good" rating for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. However, its alerts were often oversensitive, requiring adjustments for optimal performance.