It was designed to avoid the potential motion sickness and inaccessibility that certain simulated attractions can have. Universal made properly addressed the issue of Mario Kart being a game that is playable and accessible to all ages by doubling down on the chaotic and highly interactive game aspects. While at the same time, saving the "high simulation" moment for the very end and having a good sized ride length compared to a much faster attraction.
And some hate those decisions.
Which is a shame because it's an exciting "return to form" for Universal, while taking all the lessons they've learned about projection integration over the last decade.
Mario Kart is super charming to me, there are a few things I would change, of course. Overall though, I think it achieves a goal for Universal that's incredibly important for them to chase after for the next few years: Highly practical, family dark rides
Also, they're literally opening a roller coaster in the land in like two years lol