2022 Kia Carnival vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

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 upscale appearance, setting it apart from traditional minivans.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and up to 19 feet long. Its design cleverly masked its size with thin LED lights and darkened chrome elements in the Sport Platinum trim. The Escalade's interior was rich, featuring a 38-inch curved screen across the dashboard and a variety of leather and wood trim options. However, some components, like the seats and controls, were shared with less expensive GM vehicles, detracting from its luxury status. Despite this, the Escalade's spaciousness and bold design made it a popular choice for those seeking a statement vehicle.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by 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 acceleration, and the transmission operated unobtrusively. The Carnival featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the most commonly used. However, it occasionally exhibited delayed downshifts, particularly on inclines. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. Its handling was taut and athletic, though it could feel stiff over uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing up to 8,200 pounds in the RWD model. The V8 provided a muscle-car sound but lacked the expected acceleration. The Escalade-V variant addressed this with a supercharged V8 producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offered better fuel economy and smooth torque delivery. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, requiring manual engagement for low-traction surfaces. Its magnetic dampers and air suspension improved handling, but wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with flexible seating configurations. The LX trim featured captain's chairs with a center pass-through, while higher trims added a middle seat for eight-passenger capacity. The SX Prestige trim boasted VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leg rests. The Carnival's cargo space was generous, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 145.1 cubic feet with seats removed. Its smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could be inadvertently activated.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade provided exceptional interior space, with 25 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 121 cubic feet with seats folded. The Escalade ESV offered even more room. Its independent rear suspension allowed for generous headroom and legroom in all rows. The Escalade's controls were user-friendly, with a smart infotainment system and optional features like a front console refrigerator. Power-retractable side steps and an air suspension facilitated access and loading. However, the second-row seats lacked power adjustments.

The 2022 Kia Carnival's technology varied by trim, with the LX offering an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration. The EX trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and connected services. Features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk enhanced communication with rear passengers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige included a digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured cutting-edge technology, including a vast OLED screen array and Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system. The Escalade's navigation system displayed augmented reality directions in the driver's field of view. Super Cruise used eye-tracking cameras for safety and worked on over 200,000 miles of highways. The Escalade also offered night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system. The front seats provided massage functions, and the rear entertainment system supported streaming apps.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot monitoring. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with lower scores for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise. The Escalade's safety systems were generally effective, though reverse emergency braking occasionally activated erroneously.