2024 Kia Carnival vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2024 Kia Carnival strove to blur the lines between minivan and SUV with its design. Its prominent grille, slab sides, and pronounced hood exuded a decidedly SUV-like aura. However, the sliding doors and lack of ground clearance clearly marked it as a minivan. The SUV mimicry continued in smaller details such as the slightly concave shape of the grille adorned with disco-ball-like trim and the filament-like lighting elements in the taillights. The SX Prestige test car presented a balanced aesthetic with optional 19-inch wheels that filled the wheel wells without appearing overdone. The overall design rendered the Carnival distinct but avoided the awkward detailing seen in its Japanese rivals.

Inside, the Carnival embraced an SUV-like aesthetic with chunky switchgear and a large, easy-to-use shifter, designed perhaps to ease the transition for dads trading in their macho SUVs. The materials in the SX Prestige were robust, fit to handle family wear and tear. It offered cloth seats in the base LX model, leatherette in EX and SX models, and real leather in the SX Prestige. Heated and ventilated seats for the first and second rows, along with dual sunroofs, furthered the premium experience. However, the extensive use of varied plastic trims, though utilitarian, sometimes felt a bit dated.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its aesthetic DNA with the Tundra pickup, showcasing a muscular stance with hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and strong fender creases. Exterior color significantly altered its appearance; the Capstone model's Celestial Silver with copious chrome felt a bit traditional, while bolder colors like Solar Octane orange added a "Tonka truck" vibe. The interiors closely mirrored other Toyota trucks with a blocky, geometric layout featuring physical dials and buttons for essential controls.

Our Capstone model came with semi-aniline leather upholstery, standard fabric in the SR5, and SofTex or leather depending on the trim. Front seats offered extensive power adjustments, and from Platinum trim upwards, it included captain’s chairs in the second row. Each Sequoia came with a power moonroof, or an upgraded panoramic version for premium trims, adding to its market appeal.

The 2024 Kia Carnival maintained simplicity in the powertrain department, offering a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. With no available all-wheel drive or hybrid variants, it was aligned with Honda's Odyssey strategy. The Carnival’s V6 produced a respectable 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, slightly edging out the Odyssey's engine in horsepower, though matching it in torque.

The Carnival was pleasantly surprising in its driving dynamics. Steering was impeccably tuned to be light for low-speed maneuvers and precise for higher-speed driving, making lane changes and cornering smooth. The comfortable, softly-sprung chassis ensured a pleasant ride suitable for long trips, further enhanced by low interior noise levels and an internal speaker system for easy communication across rows. The refined V6 and smooth-shifting transmission consolidated its position as a reliable family vehicle, albeit with a conventional powertrain setup.

In stark contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia adopted a hybrid-exclusive powertrain. The iForce MAX hybrid system combined a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, delivering an impressive 437 horsepower and a staggering 583 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided a more powerful experience compared to its predecessor and boasted improved fuel economy, rated at 20 mpg combined for the 4WD version.

The TRD Pro trim came with a part-time 4WD system and rugged features like a skid plate, while other trims offered 4WD at an additional cost. The standard 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth and subtle shifting. On-road handling was adequate, matching class expectations. The TRD Off-Road package, available on certain trims, added all-terrain tires, a skid plate, special badging, and advanced off-road driver-assist features, further highlighting its off-road capabilities. The Sequoia’s towing capacity peaked at 9,520 pounds in the RWD SR5 trim, reflecting its robust utility.

The 2024 Kia Carnival excelled in passenger and cargo space, crucial for a minivan. It offered standard seven-passenger seating on the base LX trim, with all other trims offering eight-passenger configurations. The SX Prestige models included captain's chairs in the second row with footrests, and luxurious VIP Lounge seats were optionally available. Power-sliding rear doors and a power liftgate added convenience. However, the Carnival's third-row legroom was limited compared to rivals.

Cargo space was a strong suit, offering 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row, significantly more than competitors. With both rear rows folded, it provided 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room, outclassing the Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna. Its low step-in height and sliding doors made for easy access, though it lacked features like fold-flat seating.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, though not a minivan, provided ample cargo space at 86.9 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. With the third row up, it offered between 11.5 and 22.3 cubic feet, thanks to sliding third-row seats. However, the seats did not fold flat, limiting cargo floor usage and slashing headroom due to the battery pack beneath. Legroom was decent but generally lagged behind rivals in the segment.

Second-row captain’s chairs were standard from the Platinum trim upwards, but their flat design lacked bolstering, offering less security for passengers. Despite some ergonomic compromises, automatic power-deploying running boards on higher trims improved accessibility, although they demanded careful usage to avoid getting whacked in the shins.

Technology in the 2024 Kia Carnival was robust across the board. The base LX featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, though with wired connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system was available in higher trims. Bluetooth voice recognition was standard, with advanced rear-seat voice recognition for upper trims.

A Wi-Fi hotspot and USB ports for all rows ensured connectivity, and the infotainment system was user-friendly with clear graphics and a practical layout. Higher trims featured a cabin camera system for monitoring rear passengers and an intercom system for easier communication. Quiet Mode, which disconnected the rear speakers, was another family-friendly feature.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia’s technology suite was equally impressive, with a generous standard equipment list. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto featured prominently, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 and a massive 14-inch screen on higher trims. Despite its somewhat bland appearance, the Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized ease of use.

Every trim included a 12.3-inch driver-information display with clear graphics and essential info. The Panoramic View monitor was standard, and higher trims boasted a 10-inch color head-up display. A 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on the Limited and standard on higher trims, ensuring an enjoyable in-cabin experience.

The 2024 Kia Carnival received mixed safety scores from the IIHS. It earned "Good" ratings in several crash tests but faltered in updated tests, receiving “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings. The SX Prestige’s headlights garnered a "Good" score, contrasting with lower trims’ "Poor" ratings. The Carnival’s crash prevention systems were effective during the day but less so at night. The NHTSA hadn’t rated it at the time of writing.

Standard safety features were comprehensive, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, a driver attention monitor, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, a surround-view camera, and a blind-spot camera system.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of features as standard, encompassing a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning and parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard.

An optional Tow Technology Package included a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide, emphasizing towing safety. Although it had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of publication, the related Tundra’s Top Safety Pick+ designation bode well for its structural integrity.