Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Kia Carnival

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Carnival doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Atlas offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Carnival doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Atlas 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Carnival doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

The Atlas has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Carnival doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Atlas and the Carnival have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Carnival’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Carnival.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Carnival’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Atlas has a 680-amp battery. The Carnival only offers a standard 660-amp battery.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas V6 is faster than the Kia Carnival:

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Carnival (21 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Atlas’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Carnival doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

The Atlas’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Carnival are solid, not vented.

The Atlas stops shorter than the Carnival:

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Carnival (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Carnival (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Atlas’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Carnival LX’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Carnival LX. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige.

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Carnival doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Atlas has standard flush composite headlights. The Carnival has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Atlas has .4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more rear headroom than the Carnival.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Atlas. The Carnival doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Carnival is limited to 3500 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Carnival uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Atlas’ 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 Carnival’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Carnival can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Carnival’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Carnival doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Carnival doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Atlas has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Carnival doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas and the Kia Carnival, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Kia Carnival/Sedona by over four to one during 2022.