2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Cadillac XT6

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented itself with a polished and sophisticated exterior, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and a sleek Stellar Black paint job. Inside, the Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior exuded a sense of luxury, though it felt more akin to a well-dressed executive vehicle than a standout luxury SUV. The XT6's design was conservative, with towering front running lights and taillights reminiscent of GMC's style, which contributed to its tall and narrow appearance. Despite its premium materials, the interior lacked the distinctive flair expected in a luxury SUV, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that felt outdated compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Carnival offered a unique and stylish approach to the minivan segment. Its SX Prestige trim featured Astra Blue paint and a sophisticated interior with dual 12.3-inch digital screens that elevated its aesthetic appeal. The Carnival's design blurred the lines between minivan and SUV, with intricate grille details and high-tech lighting. Inside, the Carnival provided a spacious and upscale environment, with genuine leather upholstery and a range of comfort features. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row added a touch of luxury, though they came with some practical limitations. Overall, the Carnival's design and interior features made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and functional family vehicle.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered two engine options, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine powered the XT6 Luxury's front wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, the Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. While the V6 provided sufficient power, it lacked the turbocharged punch found in some competitors. The XT6's adaptive-damping performance suspension and available all-wheel drive contributed to its athletic handling, though it leaned more toward serenity than excitement. Fuel economy for the V6 with AWD was rated at 21 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 19.5 mpg.

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. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Carnival's V6 provided ample power for a minivan, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated smoothly, and the Carnival offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. Despite some brake fade during mountain descents, the Carnival's brakes performed well in most situations. The minivan's ride quality was firm yet comfortable, with a softer feel when fully loaded. Fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 21.1 mpg.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior, while luxurious, felt narrower than expected due to its design and shared platform with the GMC Acadia. The power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, but lacked the range of adjustments and massage functions found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs provided good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. Cargo space behind the third row measured 12.6 cubic feet, expandable to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet with all seats down. Storage options were decent but unremarkable, with limited space in the dashboard cubby and center console.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with a lower driving position and SUV-like center console. The SX Prestige trim featured genuine leather upholstery, though it felt stiff. The Carnival's three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated steering wheel added comfort. The VIP Lounge Seats in the second row provided luxury but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. Without these seats, the Carnival offered a maximum cargo capacity of 145.1 cubic feet. The third-row seat was adult-friendly, with USB ports and cupholders. The smart power liftgate revealed 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with additional storage compartments.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 featured a mix of advanced and outdated technology. While it offered a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance, it lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the interface felt dated. The Bose Performance Series audio system provided excellent sound quality, but the head-up display was small and unimpressive. Usability issues included touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive indicator lights.

The 2023 Kia Carnival impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment screens, offering a Mercedes-Benz-like presentation. The digital instrumentation featured lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a one-year subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was mediocre. Additional tech features 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 Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, offering hands-free highway driving assistance. However, it had limitations, such as inconsistent lane-keeping and abrupt braking. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a range 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 rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System added unique safety elements. The EX trim introduced Junction Turning Detection and Highway Driving Assist, which excelled in various driving conditions. The Carnival received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2022, though the NHTSA had not yet tested it.