Compare the2024 Kia CarnivalVS 2024 Honda Odyssey

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Carnival SX/Prestige has a standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a 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.

Both the Carnival and Odyssey have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Carnival has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Odyssey’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert 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 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 126 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Carnival’s reliability 17 points higher than the Odyssey.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Carnival first among minivans in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Odyssey was rated second.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

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 offers optional 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 offers them optionally 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Carnival and the Honda Odyssey, 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.

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 Odyssey was rated second.