2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, which distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet upscale feel, especially in the Capstone trim. This trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system. Despite its premium appearance, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. The TRD Pro trim was recommended for off-roading enthusiasts, while the TRD Off-Road offered a more budget-friendly option with essential off-road features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, on the other hand, stood out with its unique style and impressive technology, setting it apart from typical minivans. Available in LX, LX+, EX, EX+, and SX trims, the Carnival's base prices ranged from $35,795 to $49,595. The SX trim, with its Storm Blue paint, presented an upscale image with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and stylish roof pillar trim. Inside, the Carnival featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, adding sophistication to the cabin. The SX trim's dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light, while the interior materials maintained a quality feel. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered uninspired. Overall, the Carnival offered a compelling blend of style, technology, and practicality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, while its fuel efficiency improved to 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, the Sequoia averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous evaluation loop. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 L/100 km in combined driving, with a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The minivan offered Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport driving modes. Despite lacking AWD and a hybrid powertrain, the Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent. The Carnival's ride quality varied depending on the load, with a firm, sporty feel when lightly loaded and a softer ride when fully occupied. Overall, the Carnival delivered a satisfying driving experience, though it lacked the athleticism of some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's front seats were comfortable, and the power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit. However, the panoramic glass moonroof reduced second-row headroom, and the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor and competitors.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique driving experience, with a lower driving position and SUV-like centre console. The Carnival's interior featured three types of upholstery, with genuine leather in the SX trim. The minivan's three-zone climate control system included heated and ventilated front seats. The SX trim's VIP Lounge Seats provided luxury but limited cargo capacity to 2,460 litres. Without these seats, the Carnival's maximum cargo space was 4,110 litres. The third-row seat offered adequate legroom, and the cargo area behind it held 1,139 litres. The Carnival's smart power liftgate and deep cargo well added convenience, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services offering features like an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had some bugs, and the head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia's Platinum and Capstone trims included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX boasted 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a premium experience. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year Kia Connect subscription. However, the Bose audio system was underwhelming, and the voice recognition system had limitations. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera, enhancing the Carnival's family-friendly appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's Tundra platform received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with standard 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, while adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist were standard from the EX grade. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and reliable assistance. The IIHS named the Carnival a Top Safety Pick, though the standard headlights received a Poor rating.