2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Kia Carnival presented a unique design across its various trims, each offering distinct visual elements. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, while the EX trim doubled the available paint colors and added 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, simulated open-pore wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, and the SX Prestige trim focused on interior enhancements with real leather and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV styling cues, such as simulated skid plates and a floating roof design, contributed to its appealing and angular design, setting it apart from competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with a crossover-like dashboard and center console, offering an upscale look even in the base trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the model year, maintained a similar appearance to the standard RX 350, with the RX 350h Luxury test vehicle featuring 21-inch wheels and a subtle badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling details. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered gorgeous, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a wheelbase stretch that visually shortened the rear end. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach with fewer controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury model featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The RX 350h was expected to be priced just over $60,000, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance was estimated to approach $70,000.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The engine provided smooth and effortless acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it exhibited delayed downshift responses, particularly noticeable when cornering or climbing hills. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 22 mpg. Dynamically, the front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and responsive handling, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid models: the RX 350h and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid powertrain, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to achieve 36 mpg in combined driving, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission and Direct4 AWD system, but its fuel economy was estimated at 27 mpg. The RX 500h offered an engaging driving experience with adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering. However, accessing driving modes required navigating the infotainment system, and the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 350h, on the other hand, achieved 32 mpg and provided a secure and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering a range of seating configurations and features. The LX trim included individual captain's chairs in the second row, with an optional middle seat for added flexibility. The EX and SX trims featured an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, while the SX Prestige offered power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with Ottoman-style leg rests. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could open unintentionally. The Carnival's maximum cargo volume reached 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, with the RX 350h Luxury trim offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX's battery pack placement under the rear seat resulted in excellent leg support but limited rear headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded. While the new RX improved over the previous model, it still fell short compared to some competitors in terms of cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the LX trim. The EX trim and higher offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. The Carnival also included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk, enhancing communication with rear passengers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Kia provided a comprehensive quick reference guide to help users navigate the technology.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had limitations, such as displaying only one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The RX also featured a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the RX's technology represented a significant upgrade.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim featured a surround-view camera system, while the SX Prestige offered a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The RX's safety features operated with refinement, although some aspects, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, although these features were not tested.