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Compare the2025 Buick EnclaveVS 2025 Kia Carnival

2025 Buick Enclave
2025 Kia Carnival

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-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 2025/07/01

The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Carnival doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Front Pedestrian Braking, the Buick Enclave is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia Carnival, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Enclave

Carnival

Overall Evaluation

ACCEPTABLE

MARGINAL

Crossing Child - DAY

12 MPH

AVOIDED

AVOIDED

25 MPH

-20 MPH

-13 MPH

Crossing Adult - NIGHT

12 MPH Brights

AVOIDED

-10 MPH

12 MPH Low beams

AVOIDED

-6 MPH

25 MPH Brights

-17 MPH

-13 MPH

25 MPH Low beams

-22 MPH

-5 MPH

Parallel Adult - NIGHT

Warning Issued-Brights

1.9 sec

1.7 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Enclave achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Kia Carnival has not been tested.

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

The Buick Enclave’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia Carnival does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Enclave 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Enclave is safer than the Kia Carnival:

Enclave

Carnival

OVERALL STARS

5 Stars

4 Stars

Driver

STARS

5 Stars

5 Stars

HIC

165

239

Neck Injury Risk

20.1%

23.1%

Neck Stress

178 lbs.

245 lbs.

Neck Compression

2 lbs.

12 lbs.

Leg Forces (l/r)

32/13 lbs.

141/167 lbs.

Passenger

STARS

4 Stars

4 Stars

HIC

234

250

Chest Compression

.7 inches

.8 inches

Neck Injury Risk

35.9%

50.7%

Neck Stress

159 lbs.

174 lbs.

Leg Forces (l/r)

160/266 lbs.

632/305 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Enclave is much safer than the Carnival:

Enclave

Carnival

Overall Evaluation

GOOD

MARGINAL

Structure

GOOD

GOOD

Driver Injury Measures

Head/Neck Rating

GOOD

GOOD

Chest Rating

GOOD

GOOD

Thigh/hip Rating

GOOD

GOOD

Thigh Forces L/R

67/90 pounds

90/315 pounds

Leg/foot Rating

GOOD

GOOD

Thigh Forces L/R

67/90 pounds

90/315 pounds

Restraints

GOOD

GOOD

Rear Passenger Injury Measures

Head/Neck Rating

ACCEPTABLE

MARGINAL

Chest Rating

GOOD

MARGINAL

Thigh Rating

GOOD

GOOD

Restraints

ACCEPTABLE

ACCEPTABLE

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 Buick Enclave is safer than the Carnival:

Enclave

Carnival

Overall Evaluation

GOOD

ACCEPTABLE

Driver Injury Measures

Head/Neck

GOOD

GOOD

Torso

GOOD

GOOD

Shoulder Deflection

.47 in

.51 in

Shoulder Force

-156 lbs.

178 lbs.

Torso Max Deflection

.79 in

1.14 in

Torso Deflection Rate

4 MPH

5 MPH

Pelvis

ACCEPTABLE

ACCEPTABLE

Pelvis Force

915 lbs.

1071 lbs.

Head Protection

GOOD

GOOD

Passenger Injury Measures

Head/Neck

GOOD

GOOD

Torso

GOOD

MARGINAL

Shoulder Deflection

.83 in

2.01 in

Shoulder Force

-312 lbs.

357 lbs.

Torso Max Deflection

1.06 in

1.97 in

Torso Deflection Rate

8 MPH

13 MPH

Pelvis

GOOD

GOOD

Pelvis Force

602 lbs.

892 lbs.

Head Protection

GOOD

GOOD

The Buick Enclave has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Carnival is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

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

There are over 16 percent more Buick dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

Reliability

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To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Enclave has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Carnival’s 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

Engine

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The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 86 more horsepower (328 vs. 242) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 271) than the Carnival’s optional 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (328 vs. 287) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 260) than the Carnival’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Buick Enclave is faster than the Kia Carnival:

Enclave

Carnival 4 cyl. hybrid gas

Carnival V6

Zero to 60 MPH

6.8 sec

7.8 sec

7.5 sec

Zero to 100 MPH

16.9 sec

25 sec

19.5 sec

5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start

7.1 sec

9.3 sec

8 sec

Quarter Mile

15.1 sec

16.1 sec

15.8 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

95 MPH

87 MPH

91 MPH

Top Speed

130 MPH

115 MPH

118 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-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 2025/07/01

On the EPA test cycle the Enclave FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Carnival 3.5 DOHC V6 (20 city/27 hwy vs. 18 city/26 hwy).

The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Carnival (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The Enclave has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Carnival doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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The Enclave stops much shorter than the Carnival:

Enclave

Carnival

70 to 0 MPH

164 feet

191 feet

Car and Driver

60 to 0 MPH

109 feet

132 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Carnival (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R17). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Carnival (275/45R22 vs. 235/65R17).

The Enclave’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/LXS’ standard 65 series tires. The Enclave’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 Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Carnival LX/LXS. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige.

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Carnival only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

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The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Carnival’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

Chassis

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The Enclave 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

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The Enclave has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear legroom than the Carnival.

Cargo Capacity

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Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Enclave’s optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Carnival doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

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The Enclave 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 Buick service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 38% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

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The Enclave’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 Enclave’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Carnival’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

On a hot day the Enclave’s driver can lower all 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.

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

The Enclave’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 Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige.

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Carnival Prestige.

The Enclave Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Carnival.

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

The Enclave’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Carnival doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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