2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Kia Carnival

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and technology, setting it apart from the typical minivan. While it lacked an off-road package, its distinctive design, upscale interior, and advanced technology made it a compelling choice. The Carnival came in various trims, with the SX Prestige offering a luxurious feel, thanks to features like dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and high-quality interior materials. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival's black alloy wheels were considered uninspired.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle aesthetic, featuring a grille reminiscent of the Ioniq 5 and a seamless horizon styling. The Kona's larger size did not detract from its recognizable silhouette, but the new creased "parametric surface" doors and substantial black body cladding added a modern touch. The Kona's interior was updated with a driver-oriented center stack and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, enhancing the cabin's sophistication.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a satisfying driving experience with its firm, sporty ride quality and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. However, the lack of all-wheel drive and hybrid options was a drawback, especially in adverse weather conditions. The Carnival's brakes performed well in most situations, but a one-time fading issue was noted during a mountain descent.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SE and SEL trims and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder for the N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower, while the turbo variant offered 190 horsepower. The Kona's new eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and paddle shifters were available on higher trims. The Kona's handling was intuitive and nimble, though pickup was slightly sluggish even with the turbo engine. All-wheel drive was available for an additional fee, impacting fuel economy slightly.

The 2023 Kia Carnival's interior defied typical minivan expectations, offering a lower driving position and SUV-like center console. It featured three types of upholstery, with the SX Prestige trim providing genuine leather. The Carnival's smart sliding doors and VIP Lounge Seats added convenience, though they limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The third-row seat was spacious, and the cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of storage with the seats up. Removing the second-row seats expanded cargo capacity to 145.1 cubic feet.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to more rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, and improved cargo capacity, with 25.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate, enhancing accessibility. Interior storage was improved with a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona offered various upholstery options, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige boasted dual 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a luxurious presentation. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the Bose audio system was deemed mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision. The optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was sophisticated but underutilized by teenagers.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto promised via an over-the-air update. The Kona featured wireless device charging, a new Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in higher trims, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard across the lineup.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring standard across all trims. The Carnival's rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System added unique safety measures. The Highway Driving Assist technology was praised for its accuracy and smooth operation. The Carnival was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for 2022, though its standard headlights received a Poor rating.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona continued Hyundai's tradition of offering advanced safety features across its lineup. Standard features included Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. The Kona's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with its smooth lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor, enhancing safety.