Kia Carnival vs Toyota bZ

The 2024 Kia Carnival made a bold design statement, adopting an SUV-like appearance to attract buyers typically interested in SUVs. Its prominent grille, slab sides, and pronounced hood gave it a rugged look, although the sliding doors and lack of ground clearance revealed its minivan roots. The Carnival featured unique styling details, such as a slightly concave grille with disco-ball-like trim and filament-like taillights. The SX Prestige model's optional 19-inch wheels complemented its design without appearing overdone. Inside, the Carnival continued the SUV theme with chunky switchgear and a large shifter, making it appealing to image-conscious buyers. The interior materials were durable, acknowledging the wear and tear expected in a family vehicle, with options for cloth, leatherette, or real leather upholstery depending on the trim level.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, available in XLE and Limited trims, offered a more refined and expressive design compared to its predecessor. The restyled bZ looked better with body-color trim, and the interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console, enhancing the sense of quality. The XLE's fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control functions. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. Despite these issues, the bZ's design improvements made it more appealing to buyers seeking a modern and stylish electric vehicle.

The 2024 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Carnival's powertrain was comparable to the Honda Odyssey. The Carnival offered a pleasant driving experience, with well-balanced steering and a comfortable ride. The transmission shifted smoothly, and the V6 engine provided a satisfying growl at full throttle. Despite not being the most efficient combination, the Carnival's drivetrain was refined and enjoyable to drive.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered various powertrain options, including a single electric motor with a 57.7-kWh battery for 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, providing an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 horsepower and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor models produced 338 horsepower, with varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ's recharging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter for versatile charging options. The bZ's performance was characterized by instant torque, making it agile in urban settings, but it struggled with mid-range passing power on highways. The ride could be choppy on uneven surfaces, and the steering lacked engagement, making it less suitable for spirited driving.

The 2024 Kia Carnival offered versatile seating configurations, with seven-passenger seating standard on the base LX trim and eight-passenger configurations on higher trims. The SX Prestige model featured second-row captain's chairs with footrests, and optional VIP Lounge seats provided luxurious comfort. The Carnival's cargo space was impressive, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 145.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. While it lacked fold-flat seating like the Chrysler Pacifica, the Carnival's interior was well-organized, with easy-to-use controls and ample storage options. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds, matching competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform, offered easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats featured standard height adjustment, and the Limited trim added ventilated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, although foot space was limited. The bZ's cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the rakish rear window limited maximum cargo capacity.

The 2024 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base LX trim, while higher trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The Carnival's infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and intuitive controls. It included a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports for all three rows, and a cabin camera system for monitoring rear passengers. The Carnival also offered a surround-view camera system and an intercom for communication between the front and rear seats.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, the infotainment system was generally easy to use. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect system powered the native navigation and voice assistant, which performed well in testing. However, the lack of a home screen and low-contrast colors in daytime mode were noted drawbacks.

The 2024 Kia Carnival received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with top scores in some crash tests but lower ratings in updated tests. The SX Prestige model's headlights received a "Good" rating, while other trims were rated "Poor." Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and a surround-view camera system. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs for added safety. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ's adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. IIHS ratings were available, with high scores for front-crash avoidance but lower ratings for headlights and frontal-impact crash tests.