2024 Kia Carnival vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Kia Carnival made a bold design statement, adopting an SUV-like appearance to attract buyers typically drawn to SUVs. Its prominent grille, slab sides, and pronounced hood gave it a rugged look, although the sliding doors and low ground clearance revealed its minivan roots. The Carnival featured unique styling elements, such as a concave grille with disco-ball-like trim and filament-like taillights. The SX Prestige model's 19-inch wheels complemented its design without appearing overdone. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with chunky switchgear and a large shifter, making it appealing to image-conscious buyers. The interior materials were durable, with real leather upholstery in the SX Prestige trim, although the rest of the cabin was predominantly plastic.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna attempted to break away from the traditional minivan design with its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines. Despite these efforts, it still resembled a minivan, albeit with some stylish touches like narrow taillights and flower-petal wheel designs on the Platinum trim. The Sienna's interior received updates, including a new woodgrain finish, although opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna Platinum model featured Magnetic Gray paint and a range of accessories, making it a well-equipped option. However, the Sienna's design still prioritized practicality over style, offering seating for up to eight passengers and a focus on functionality.

The 2024 Kia Carnival featured a straightforward powertrain with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Carnival's V6 engine provided a pleasant driving experience. The steering was well-balanced, offering ease of maneuverability in parking lots and precision at higher speeds. The Carnival's chassis delivered a comfortable ride, making it suitable for long road trips. The transmission shifted smoothly, and the V6 engine emitted a satisfying growl at full throttle, showcasing its refinement.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna relied on a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid system produced a net horsepower of 245, which was adequate for city driving but felt less powerful during highway acceleration. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna's handling was predictable but lacked excitement, with squishy steering and brakes that required caution during sudden stops. The Sienna XSE offered a sportier suspension for those seeking a slightly more engaging drive.

The 2024 Kia Carnival offered versatile seating configurations, with seven-passenger seating standard on the base LX trim and eight-passenger configurations on higher trims. The SX Prestige model featured second-row captain's chairs with footrests, providing comfort for passengers. The Carnival excelled in cargo space, offering 40.2 cubic feet with all seats in place and 145.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. While it lacked fold-flat seating like the Pacifica, the Carnival's sliding doors and low step-in height made passenger loading easy. The front cabin was well-organized, with intuitive controls and ample storage, although it lacked a storage nook like the Sienna.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized practicality with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular among passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space was generous, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed. However, its maximum cargo capacity of 101 cubic feet was lower than rivals due to the lack of removable second-row seats. The Sienna's design focused on ease of use, with sliding side doors and a hands-free power liftgate for convenience.

The 2024 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base LX trim, while higher trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The Carnival offered a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with USB ports for all three rows. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and intuitive controls. The Carnival also included a cabin camera system and an intercom for communication with rear passengers, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system on higher trims. The Platinum model featured a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services plans, with a digital assistant for voice commands. The Sienna's infotainment system was capable, but some features required active subscriptions. The JBL premium audio system provided decent sound quality, although it could be bass-heavy. The Sienna's climate control system and digital rearview camera added to its convenience.

The 2024 Kia Carnival received mixed safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top "Good" ratings in some crash tests but lower scores in others. The SX Prestige model's headlights received a "Good" rating, while other trims were rated "Poor." The Carnival's front-crash prevention systems performed well in daytime testing but not at night. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. While it lacked the latest TSS 3.0, the Sienna's safety systems worked effectively. However, the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna introduced a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving passengers behind. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, although it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.