Compare the2022 Kia CarnivalVS 2021 GMC Acadia

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Carnival has a standard backup collision prevention system that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Carnival’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Acadia and is not available with SL.

The Carnival’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Acadia doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Carnival and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Carnival comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire van and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Acadia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Carnival 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than GMC covers the Acadia. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Acadia ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Carnival has a 180-amp alternator. The Acadia’s standard 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than GMC.

The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 97 more horsepower (290 vs. 193) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 188) than the Acadia’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 60 more horsepower (290 vs. 230) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Carnival uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Carnival’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Carnival’s wheelbase is 9.2 inches longer than on the Acadia (121.7 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Carnival is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 4.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Acadia.

The Carnival offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Acadia can only carry up to 7.

The Carnival has 24.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Acadia (168.2 vs. 143.8).

The Carnival has .9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom, 13.1 inches more rear hip room and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Acadia AT4.

The Carnival has .9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom, 13.1 inches more rear hip room, 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 5.9 inches more third row legroom, 7.5 inches more third row hip room and 5.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Acadia.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Carnival’s middle and third row seats recline. The Acadia’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Carnival has a much larger cargo volume than the Acadia with its rear seat up (145.1 vs. 12.8 cubic feet). The Carnival has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Acadia with its rear seat folded (145.1 vs. 79 cubic feet).

The Carnival has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Acadia doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The Carnival’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Carnival EX/SX/Prestige’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Carnival has a standard locking fuel door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Carnival SX/Prestige has standard front air conditioned seats and the Carnival Prestige also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Acadia doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.