2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 BMW X7

The 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more upscale look with 19-inch machined-finish wheels and simulated leather options. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, appealing to modern tastes. The SX Prestige trim focused on interior luxury with real leather and VIP Lounge Seats. The Carnival's SUV-like styling, with its tall hood and floating roof design, gave it a distinctive presence, and its angular design was a refreshing departure from the more rounded competitors in its segment. Inside, the Carnival's dashboard and seating arrangements mimicked a crossover, providing an upscale feel even in the base trim.

The 2023 BMW X7 received a mid-cycle makeover, adopting a bolder front-end design similar to the BMW 7 Series sedan. The new LED accent lights and recessed headlights added a controversial touch to the already polarizing oversized kidney grille. While the front design was divisive, the sides and rear remained largely unchanged, offering a choice between chrome or dark exterior trims. Inside, the X7's dashboard was refreshed with a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The interior materials were of premium quality, with leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. Despite some harsh reflections from glossy trim options, the X7's interior was well-built and modern, providing a satisfying tactile experience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 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 on hills. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 22 mpg. Dynamically, the Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance, although it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 BMW X7 lineup started with the xDrive40i model, featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The X7 M60i model upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well, with potent acceleration from the V8 and adequate performance from the base engine. The brake pedal felt appropriate for a luxury SUV, and the X7 managed body roll effectively. While not sporty, it offered a composed and confident ride. The X7 balanced performance and comfort, with a slightly firmer ride compared to some luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering various seating configurations and ample cargo space. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while the LX Seat Package added a middle second-row seat for flexibility. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, and the SX Prestige trim included power-adjustable VIP Lounge Seats with leather upholstery. The Carnival's third-row seat provided 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. Removing the second-row seats created a maximum cargo volume of 145.1 cubic feet. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, although they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered spacious accommodations, with ample room for taller passengers in the second row. Accessing the third row required some time due to the power-operated middle row, but it provided adequate head- and legroom for average-sized adults. The third-row seat cushion was lower, reducing thigh support, and lateral space was limited. Behind the third row, the X7 offered 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row stowed. The split tailgate and suspension-lowering feature facilitated loading, and folding the middle seats increased capacity to 90.4 cubic feet. Front-seat passengers had ample storage options, including a large center console bin and well-sized cupholders.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim. The LX trim featured analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and voice recognition. It also included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and eight speakers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system with streaming capabilities, while the SX Prestige trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was generally intuitive, but a quick reference guide was recommended for setup.

The 2023 BMW X7 featured the latest iDrive infotainment system, which had a more complex menu structure compared to previous versions. Basic functions like temperature adjustments and audio controls were straightforward, but accessing features like heated seats and adaptive cruise control required navigating through menus. BMW attempted to address this with voice commands, but they could interrupt audio playback. While voice controls were useful for navigation and texting, more physical buttons and intuitive menus were desired for frequently used features.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The HDA system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, although it was found to be less effective in this evaluation. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim included a surround-view camera system, and the SX Prestige trim added a Blind View Monitor. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 BMW X7 came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights, and parking sensors. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, and options included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward cross-traffic alerts, and a semi-automated parking function. The highway driving assist feature reduced driver fatigue on long trips. The X7's safety features performed reliably, with no false alarms or unpredictable responses. Crash-test results were not available, but BMW's reputation and safety features provided confidence in passenger protection.