2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

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 instrumentation and infotainment screens, added sophistication to the interior, complemented by dual power sunroofs and flashy dashboard trim. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered unimaginative. Inside, the materials were of good quality, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a true crossover, built on the TNGA-K platform, sharing its underpinnings with several Toyota models. It was larger than its competitors, offering a spacious interior with a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. The Grand Highlander's design was more conservative, with a blockier style reminiscent of rugged vehicles. Its trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights gave it a resemblance to the Toyota 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered black Softex synthetic leather on the XLE trim, with real leather available on higher trims. The interior was comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, and it consumed 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Despite lacking AWD and a hybrid option, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, including a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option provided 245 combined net horsepower, while the Hybrid Max powertrain delivered 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. All powertrains came with AWD, and the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander's size made it less maneuverable, and the steering feel was somewhat numb. However, the brakes were solid, and the acceleration was adequate. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and an SUV-like centre console. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather available on the SX trim. The Carnival's interior included a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The SX trim offered VIP Lounge Seats in the second row, which were comfortable but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. The third-row seat was spacious, and the Carnival provided 1,139 litres of cargo volume behind it. The maximum cargo space was 4,110 litres with the second-row seats removed.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, offering a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. It provided 1,640 litres of space behind the second-row seats and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander's interior was comfortable, with good outward visibility and ample space in every row. It offered a reasonable alternative to minivans for those seeking more space without compromising on comfort.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a visually appealing presentation. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing appearance 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. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was considered mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, responding to voice commands for tasks like adjusting the temperature. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing good sound quality. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a range of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist standard on all trims. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and adaptive cruise control was standard from the EX grade. The Carnival also featured a Safe Exit Assist system 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 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and more. The updated lane-departure alert could identify three-dimensional objects, reducing false warnings. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. Adaptive cruise control was standard, offering four following-distance settings.