2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2023 Kia Sportage arrived with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, reminiscent of French automaker designs. Its standout features included bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights framing a distinctive grille and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, adding a touch of class. The interior saw a shift from leather to synthetic leather upholstery, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob available in higher trims. The driver’s seat offered excellent visibility, and the dashboard featured over two feet of display in trims above the base model. However, the use of hard plastic and piano-black plastic in the cabin was a bit typical for the class, and some design choices, like the hard plastic plate near the door handle, were less comfortable.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, in its second year in the U.S. market, stood out with its distinctive style and upscale image. The SX Prestige trim, in particular, was equipped with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, making it an attractive choice. Inside, the Carnival featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality interior materials that prevented it from feeling cheap. The robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality, and the overall design conveyed a sense of sophistication. However, the black alloy wheels were considered boring and unimaginative.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Sportage delivered a fuel efficiency of 25 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined with FWD, and 23/28/25 with AWD. While more powerful than the 2022 model, the lack of a turbocharged engine option was a drawback for those seeking a more dynamic driving experience. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-roading features, respectively, with the X-Pro offering BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and specific drive modes. The Sportage's 8.3 inches of ground clearance on AWD models made it capable off-road, but the naturally aspirated engine struggled to keep up with turbocharged competitors.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter 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 3,500 pounds and was EPA-rated at 22 mpg in combined driving. The Carnival lacked AWD and a hybrid powertrain, which would have been beneficial in wet weather and for better fuel economy. Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. The Carnival's brakes were generally reliable, though they experienced fade during a mountain descent. The minivan offered a firm, sporty ride quality when lightly loaded, and a softer ride when fully occupied. Overall, the Carnival was satisfying to drive, though the Honda Odyssey was noted to be slightly more athletic.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor, with a 7.1-inch longer body and a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. Rear-seat legroom was an impressive 41.3 inches, and the trunk provided 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front seats offered decent storage, but the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were frustrating to use, as they could switch between climate and navigation functions, complicating basic operations.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, while not resembling a typical minivan, offered a unique driving experience with a lower driving position and SUV-like center console. It featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather available in the SX Prestige trim. The Carnival's three-zone automatic climate control system included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added convenience, though the latter limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet and were not removable. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Carnival offered ample cargo capacity behind it, with a smart power liftgate revealing 40.2 cubic feet of space. Without the VIP Lounge Seats, the Carnival's maximum cargo space was 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface in EX and higher trims, paired with a panoramic 12.3-inch driver information display in SX and above trims. While the technology was impressive, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims were puzzling, as the base LX trim offered wireless connectivity. The icons on the screen were similar in appearance, making them difficult to distinguish while driving. Despite these quirks, the Sportage offered advanced technology, including wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and a Harman Kardon stereo in higher trims.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a Mercedes-Benz-like presentation. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered streaming capabilities, though teenagers preferred their own devices.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came equipped with a range of standard collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included the blind-view monitor and Highway Driving Assist, though these features were not widely available. The Sportage had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features added as you moved up the trim levels. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, and the Safe Exit System warned occupants of approaching vehicles. Higher trims added Junction Turning Detection, Highway Driving Assist, and a surround-view camera. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though the NHTSA had not yet crash-tested it.