Compare the2024 Lexus TXVS 2024 Kia Carnival

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/12/21

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus TX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Carnival doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The TX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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 TX 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 TX AWD’s standard Downhill Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Carnival doesn’t offer Downhill Assist.

The TX has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 TX and the Carnival have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus TX is much safer than the Carnival:

	TX	Carnival
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	38	167
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	.79 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	1049 lbs.	1562 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	143	357
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	1.89 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	469 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	2.36 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The TX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Carnival’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 10th.

Engine

The TX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 262) than the Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The TX 500h’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (366 vs. 290) and 144 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 262) than the Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The TX 550h+’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (404 vs. 290) than the Carnival’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Kia Carnival:

	TX	Carnival
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.2 sec	19.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	91 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the TX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Carnival:

			MPG
TX
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Carnival
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

The TX 550h+ CVT can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Carnival can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the TX 500h/550h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Carnival doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TX’s 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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus TX higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Carnival (5). This means the TX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Carnival every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The TX 550h+ has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Carnival doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	TX 350 4dr Sport Utility	TX 500h/550h+	Carnival
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	15.7 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	13.3 inches	12.8 inches

The TX’s 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 TX stops much shorter than the Carnival:

	TX	Carnival
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TX has larger tires than the Carnival (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The TX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Carnival LX’s standard 65 series tires. The TX’s optional 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 TX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Carnival LX. The TX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige.

Chassis

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

The TX F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Carnival doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TX has .5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the Carnival.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the TX Premium/Luxury’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Carnival doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

Towing

The TX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Carnival’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The TX 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 63% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

The TX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Carnival does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The TX Luxury offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Carnival doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

If the windows are left open on the TX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Carnival can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TX’s 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The TX Luxury/F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Carnival doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the TX Luxury/F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Carnival doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The TX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Carnival offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The TX 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus TX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Carnival doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

See Available Inventory