2023 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Kia Carnival presented a unique blend of style and functionality, setting itself apart from the typical minivan. It featured a distinctive design with high-tech lighting, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, which contributed to its upscale image. The SX Prestige trim, in particular, offered a sophisticated interior with dual instrumentation and infotainment screens, dual power sunroofs, and quality materials that prevented it from feeling cheap. Despite its stylish appearance, the Carnival maintained practicality with its spacious interior and advanced technology.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and design cues with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles, strong fender creases, and a muscular stance. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model in Celestial Silver giving off a "cop car" vibe, while a switch to Solar Octane orange and black accents transformed it into a "Tonka truck." Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard layout, with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, offering a blend of luxury and functionality.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a front-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a satisfying driving experience with multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport. The Carnival's V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the absence of all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain limited its versatility in adverse weather conditions and fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, featured the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor. This setup produced an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. The TRD Pro trim offered off-road capabilities with a part-time 4WD system, skid plate, and off-road suspension. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2023 Kia Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, with a maximum cargo capacity of 145.1 cubic feet when the second-row seats were removed. The SX Prestige trim featured VIP Lounge Seats, which provided a luxurious experience but limited cargo space to 86.9 cubic feet. The Carnival's third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the smart power liftgate revealed a deep well with 40.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. The interior design mimicked an SUV, with a lower driving position and a center console similar to those found in SUVs.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia provided a maximum cargo space of 86.9 cubic feet with both second- and third-row seats folded. The third-row seats, positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, did not create a flat load floor, affecting headroom and legroom. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs were wide but lacked bolstering, and the third-row legroom ranged from 28.1 to 33.7 inches. The Sequoia's interior was functional, with automatic power-deploying running boards and a spacious cabin, but it fell short in terms of cargo space compared to the Carnival.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige featured dual 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens, offering a sophisticated and visually appealing interface. 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, and the native voice recognition system had limitations. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and Passenger View with Night Vision, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone trim came equipped with a 14-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver-information display. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system was user-friendly, though its appearance was somewhat lackluster. The Sequoia offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Panoramic View monitor, and a 10-inch color head-up display. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was standard on higher trims, providing a premium audio experience.

The 2023 Kia Carnival was equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The rear-seat reminder system and Safe Exit System were notable features, enhancing safety for passengers. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly impressive, providing smooth and reliable semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Carnival earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard across all trims, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. The Sequoia's blind-spot monitoring system included Trailer Merge Warning, extending the monitored area when towing. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. As of this writing, the Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.