Compare the2026 Infiniti QX60VS 2026 Kia Carnival

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

Safety

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The QX60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Carnival doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX60 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Kia Carnival doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The Infiniti QX60 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Carnival doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

With its standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, the Infiniti QX60 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia Carnival, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	QX60	Carnival
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.5 sec	1.4 sec

The QX60 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Carnival doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the QX60 and the Carnival have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 around view monitors 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 Infiniti QX60 is safer than the Kia Carnival:

	QX60	Carnival
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	45.1%	50.7%
Leg Forces (l/r)	236/309 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 QX60 is much safer than the Carnival:

	QX60	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
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	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 Infiniti QX60 is safer than the Carnival:

	QX60	Carnival
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.14 in
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	65	186
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	2.01 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	580 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Infiniti QX60 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 a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Carnival is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The QX60’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Carnival’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX60 for 3 years and 45000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Carnival.

Engine

The QX60’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (268 vs. 242) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (286 vs. 271) than the Carnival’s optional 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The QX60’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (286 vs. 260) than the Carnival’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Infiniti QX60 is faster than the Kia Carnival:

	QX60	Carnival 4 cyl. hybrid gas	Carnival V6
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.9 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.7 MPH	88.2 MPH	90.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the QX60 gets better mileage than the Carnival:

			MPG
QX60
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy
Carnival
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy

Both the QX60 and the Carnival Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All QX60s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The QX60 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.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Infiniti QX60, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Carnival.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the QX60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Carnival:

	QX60	Carnival
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.8 inches

The QX60’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 QX60 stops much shorter than the Carnival:

	QX60	Carnival
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the QX60 has larger tires than the Carnival (255/50R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The QX60’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Carnival LX/LXS’ standard 65 series tires. The QX60’s tires are lower profile than the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX60 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Carnival LX/LXS. The Carnival’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The QX60 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Carnival doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Chassis

The QX60 is 4.9 inches shorter than the Carnival, making the QX60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Infiniti QX60 amounts to more than styling. The QX60 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the Carnival (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX60 get better fuel mileage.

The QX60 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 QX60 has .1 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more front legroom than the Carnival.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically raises the QX60 Autograph’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 QX60. The Carnival doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The QX60’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Carnival’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The QX60 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 Infiniti service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 41% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige, the QX60 Autograph has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The QX60’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.

On a hot day the QX60’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.

The QX60’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 standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the QX60 Autograph has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Carnival doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The QX60’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 Infiniti QX60 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 QX60 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 costs extra on the Carnival.

The QX60 Autograph 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 Infiniti QX60 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Infiniti QX60 and the Kia Carnival, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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