Compare the2023 Kia CarnivalVS 2023 Honda Odyssey

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 Odyssey doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Carnival SX/Prestige has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Odyssey only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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 Odyssey doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Carnival and the Odyssey 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Carnival its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Odyssey is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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 Odyssey’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Carnival 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Honda covers the Odyssey. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Odyssey 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 standard 180-amp alternator. The Odyssey’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 85 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 24th.

The Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (290 vs. 280) than the Odyssey’s 3.5 SOHC V6.

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

The Carnival stops much shorter than the Odyssey:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Carnival’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Odyssey (121.7 inches vs. 118.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Carnival is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Odyssey.

For better maneuverability, the Carnival’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Odyssey’s (38 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

The Carnival has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Odyssey (168.2 vs. 163.6).

The Carnival has .2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear hip room, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, .3 inches more third row headroom and 2 inches more third row hip room than the Odyssey.

The Carnival’s cargo area provides more volume than the Odyssey.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the Carnival uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Odyssey doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Carnival and the Odyssey have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Carnival is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Odyssey prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Carnival’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Odyssey’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Carnival has standard extendable sun visors. The Odyssey doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Carnival and the Odyssey offer available heated front seats. The Carnival Prestige also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Odyssey.

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

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Kia Carnival as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2021 issue and the Kia Carnival Prestige won out over the Honda Odyssey Elite.