Compare the2022 Kia CarnivalVS 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Carnival are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The Atlas doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Kia Carnival has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Atlas and is not available with S.

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 Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Carnival and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 Atlas’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Carnival 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 18 percent more Kia dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Carnival’s warranty.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 9th.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 66 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 9 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 55 more horsepower (290 vs. 235) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 14 more horsepower (290 vs. 276) than the Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Carnival gets better fuel mileage than the Atlas FWD V6 (19 city/26 hwy vs. 17 city/23 hwy).

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

The Carnival has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Carnival has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Carnival flat and controlled during cornering. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Carnival’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the Atlas (121.7 inches vs. 117.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Carnival is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Atlas.

The Carnival offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Atlas can only carry 7.

The Carnival has 14.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Atlas (168.2 vs. 153.7).

The Carnival has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 8.4 inches more rear hip room, 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room, .3 inches more third row headroom, 1.9 inches more third row legroom, 5.3 inches more third row hip room and 4.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

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

The Carnival has a much larger cargo volume than the Atlas with its rear seat up (145.1 vs. 20.6 cubic feet). The Carnival has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Atlas with its rear seat folded (145.1 vs. 96.8 cubic feet).

The Carnival has a much larger cargo volume than the Atlas with its rear seat up (145.1 vs. 20.6 cubic feet). The Carnival has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Atlas with its rear seat folded (145.1 vs. 96.8 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 Atlas doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The Carnival’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas’ (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Carnival SX/Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Atlas doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.