2024 Kia Carnival vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

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 lack of ground clearance revealed its minivan roots. The Carnival featured unique styling details, 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, acknowledging the wear and tear expected in a family vehicle, with real leather upholstery in the SX Prestige trim.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative design, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a larger RAV4-like appearance, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized functionality, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. However, the use of glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces explained the value offered by the base Grand Highlander LE. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. Overall, the Grand Highlander provided a practical and spacious interior, with a focus on comfort and usability.

The 2024 Kia Carnival featured a straightforward powertrain with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, offering a pleasant driving experience. The steering was well-balanced, making maneuvering easy, while the chassis provided a comfortable ride. The V6 engine delivered smooth and refined performance, with a satisfying growl at full throttle. Although it lacked hybrid options, the Carnival's powertrain was reminiscent of traditional setups before the rise of turbocharging and electrification.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the Hybrid Max configuration focusing on performance. It combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, producing 362 horsepower. This setup provided impressive acceleration and towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. However, the Hybrid Max's fuel economy was lower, rated at 27 mpg combined. During testing, it achieved 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route. The Hybrid Max delivered rewarding acceleration, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, although handling was secure only up to a modest point.

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, and optional VIP Lounge seats provided luxurious comfort. 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 space was well-organized, with ample room for controls and storage.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of nearly 100 cubic feet. The Platinum trim featured upscale Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery. However, the long rear doors posed challenges for child seat installation, and sharp door corners could cause dents. The second-row captain’s chairs offered flexibility, with a pass-through or sliding option for third-row access. The Grand Highlander provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2024 Kia Carnival came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base LX trim, while higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12-speaker Bose audio system available. USB ports were accessible in all three rows, and the system was user-friendly with clear graphics. The Carnival also offered a cabin camera system and intercom for rear-seat communication, along with a Quiet Mode to disconnect rear speakers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included Toyota Connected Services, offering features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and digital voice assistant. While the infotainment system was easy to use, it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The Platinum trim included advanced features like a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror, with a JBL premium audio system delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Kia Carnival received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with top scores in some crash tests but lower ratings in updated tests. The SX Prestige model's headlights were rated "Good," while other trims received "Poor" ratings. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. While the Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and frontal-impact protection. The safety tech operated accurately, although the Proactive Driving Assist system was found to be irritating in some situations.