2024 Kia Carnival vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2024 Kia Carnival made a bold design statement, blending SUV-like features with traditional minivan elements. Its prominent grille, slab sides, and pronounced hood gave it an SUV-like appearance, although the sliding doors and lack of ground clearance revealed its true minivan nature. The Carnival's styling details, such as the slightly concave grille with disco-ball-like trim and filament-like taillights, added a distinctive touch. The SX Prestige model's 19-inch wheels filled the wheel wells perfectly, enhancing its overall look. 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 options ranging from cloth seats in the base model to real leather upholstery in the SX Prestige trim.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of design, which could polarize opinions. Its flat, faceless grille spanned the entire front end, dividing opinions among shoppers. The Telluride's personality changed with color and trim levels, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended harmoniously in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models featured rectangular grille blocks and distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile showcased unique faceted fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, adding a touch of novelty. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, although the labeling on the buttons was challenging to read.

The 2024 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive or hybrid options available. The Carnival's V6 engine provided a pleasant driving experience, with steering that offered the perfect balance of feel and effort. The vehicle's size was manageable in parking lots, and it maintained precision at higher speeds. The Carnival's chassis provided a comfortable ride, making it suitable for long road trips. Interior noise levels were low, and the drivetrain was refined, with smooth and quick transmission shifts. The V6 engine emitted a satisfying growl at full throttle, reminding drivers of its power.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive available on midrange trims and above. The Telluride Hybrid added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid's transition between electric and gas power was seamless, and the engine remained quiet even under stress. Both Telluride models were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The X-Pro Prestige trim offered surprising comfort with its off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, instilling confidence on winding roads.

The 2024 Kia Carnival offered seven-passenger seating in the base LX trim, with sliding and removable second-row seats. Higher trims featured an eight-passenger configuration, with SX Prestige models offering second-row captain's chairs with footrests. The Carnival's power-sliding rear doors and power liftgate were standard on higher trims, along with tri-zone automatic climate control. While headroom and legroom were comparable to rival minivans, the Carnival had the least third-row legroom. However, it offered substantial cargo space, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 145.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Carnival's interior was well-organized, with easy-to-find controls and ample storage space. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds, matching the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, although the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seatbacks folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, with the Hybrid capable of towing 4,500 pounds. The interior featured ample storage options, including a large center bin and deployable cupholders.

The 2024 Kia Carnival's base LX trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system was available, along with Bluetooth voice recognition and rear-seat voice recognition on higher grades. The Carnival included a Wi-Fi hotspot and USB ports for all three rows. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and easy-to-read text. The Carnival also offered a cabin camera system and an intercom for communication with rear-seat passengers.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. The infotainment system included a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, although there were occasional delays and hard taps required for screen responsiveness. The Telluride offered customization options for the infotainment screen, including themes from various brand collaborations. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available on higher trims, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2024 Kia Carnival received mixed safety scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It earned top "Good" ratings in several crash tests but received "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in updated tests. The SX Prestige model's headlights were rated "Good," while other trims received "Poor" ratings. Front-crash prevention systems performed well in daytime testing but not at night. The Carnival's child-seat anchor ease of use was rated "Acceptable." Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor had operational issues at night, and the blind-spot cameras were considered distracting. However, the highway driving assist was praised for its effectiveness on long trips.