Compare the2023 Kia CarnivalVS 2023 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 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 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 and available around view monitors.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Carnival the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 164 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Atlas last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 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 Atlas’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 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 21 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’ 2022 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 fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry 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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 21st.

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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Carnival is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Carnival gets better mileage than the Atlas:

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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Carnival higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (3 to 5). This means the Carnival produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

The Carnival stops much shorter than the Atlas:

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.

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 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Atlas.

For better maneuverability, the Carnival’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (38 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

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’s cargo area provides more volume than the Atlas.

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).

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 Atlas doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Atlas’ standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The Carnival’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Atlas doesn’t offer a power rear 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 Atlas 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Carnival first among minivans in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Atlas isn’t in the top three.