2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a range of trim levels from base to Luxury, with prices starting at $37,950. The NX 350 F Sport and Luxury trims were particularly notable for their design, featuring a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. Inside, the NX aimed for a minimalist look, with a focus on decluttering the dashboard, though some controls integrated into the touchscreen were not immediately intuitive. The F Sport trim stood out with sport-bolstered seats, a unique steering wheel, and dark interior trim, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique style for a minivan, with a design that resembled an SUV more than a traditional minivan. The Carnival's SX Prestige trim, priced at $49,285, featured Astra Blue paint and a Rear Seat Entertainment Package. The Carnival's interior was upscale, with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and decorative roof pillar trim. The SX Prestige's interior materials were of high quality, though the genuine leather upholstery felt stiff. The Carnival's design was both stylish and functional, with smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats that offered comfort but limited cargo space when fully reclined.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid producing 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivering 302 horsepower. The NX 350, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, generated 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport featured adaptive variable sports suspension and 20-inch wheels, providing a dynamic driving experience. The NX 350's acceleration to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds was credible, though the engine's sound was less refined than German rivals. The NX's handling was impressive, but road and wind noise were more noticeable than expected.

The 2023 Kia Carnival, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Carnival's front-wheel-drive setup offered 22 mpg in combined driving and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The 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 was firm and sporty with a single occupant but softened with a full load of passengers. Overall, the Carnival was satisfying to drive, though the Honda Odyssey offered a more athletic experience.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a cozy and comfortable interior, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats offered ample space, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Luxury trim featured ambient lighting with 14 themes, enhancing the interior ambiance.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior felt more like an SUV, with a lower driving position and a center console similar to those found in SUVs. The Carnival offered three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige featuring genuine leather. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row provided comfort but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The Carnival's third-row seat was spacious, with USB ports and cupholders. The smart power liftgate revealed 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, and the third-row seats could be tumbled into a storage well for additional space.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The NX also offered a digital mirror, a head-up display, and a digital key capability. However, the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige had 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. The Carnival's voice recognition system was partly successful, and 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 2022 Lexus NX came with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection and an adaptive front lighting system. A Vision Package offered a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert.

The 2023 Kia Carnival featured a range of driver assistance systems, with standard 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. The EX trim added Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, while the SX trim included a surround-view camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The IIHS rated the 2023 Carnival as a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though the NHTSA had not performed crash tests.