2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and sophistication, 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 appeal. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained a practical and comfortable interior, although the black alloy wheels were considered uninspired.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra pickup, such as hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Capstone model, with its chrome accents and Celestial Silver colour, appeared somewhat dated. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard layout, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims had SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was functional, with power-adjustable front seats and a spacious centre console, but lacked the Carnival's level of sophistication.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a front-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, although our test vehicle averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The Carnival's towing capacity reached 1,587 kilograms, but it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, which could have improved its performance in adverse weather conditions. Despite these limitations, 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 Sequoia, on the other hand, featured the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor. This setup produced 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km with four-wheel drive. It came standard with a part-time 4WD system, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and various off-road features in the TRD Off-Road model. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, and it offered several towing-related upgrades. While its on-road handling was adequate, the Sequoia excelled in adventure-readiness, making it suitable for those seeking off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, resembling an SUV more than a traditional minivan. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in 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. However, the placement of seat and steering wheel controls was distracting. The SX trim's VIP Lounge Seats provided comfort but limited cargo space to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival's maximum cargo capacity reached 4,110 litres, surpassing even the Chevrolet Suburban. The third-row seat was spacious, and the smart power liftgate added convenience.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered automatic power-deploying running boards, enhancing accessibility. Its cargo space reached a maximum of 2,460 litres with both second- and third-row seats folded. The Sequoia's interior featured second-row captain's chairs in higher trims, but they lacked bolstering. The third-row seats were positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, reducing headroom and legroom. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia provided ample legroom in the first and second rows. The interior was functional, with easy access to the third row and foldable seats, but it lacked the Carnival's versatility and spaciousness.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation featured lush graphics that changed with the time of day, adding a surprise-and-delight element. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect. However, the Bose audio system was mediocre, and the Kia Connect subscription was inactive during testing. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone trim came equipped with a 14-inch centre touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia featured a full-colour 12.3-inch driver information display and a Panoramic View monitor on higher trims. A 10-inch colour head-up display was standard on Capstone, and the 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited and standard on Platinum and Capstone trims. The Sequoia's technology package was comprehensive, providing essential features for a vehicle of its size.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with standard collision warnings and avoidance systems across all trims. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available from the EX trim. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, alerting owners if a child or pet was left inside. Adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist were standard from the EX grade. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy, providing accurate and smooth assistance on highways. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although its standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of safety features as standard on all trims. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on Platinum and Capstone trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.