Compare the2026 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2026 Kia Carnival

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

Safety

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With its standard Front Assist, the Volkswagen Atlas is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia Carnival, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Atlas	Carnival
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	-10 MPH	-6 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	-23 MPH	-5 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Low beams	-23 MPH	-23 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-28 MPH	-18 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.7 sec

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, 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 Atlas 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 Atlas 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Carnival doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

Both the Atlas 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 and available around view monitors.

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

	Atlas	Carnival
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	39%	50.7%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	174 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	297/97 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 Atlas is much safer than the Carnival:

	Atlas	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	45/45 pounds	90/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	90/315 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	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 Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Carnival:

	Atlas	Carnival
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	42	53
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.14 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	163	186
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.43 in	2.01 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.54 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	10 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	848 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Volkswagen Atlas 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

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

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen 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.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Carnival’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (269 vs. 242) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 271) than the Carnival’s optional 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 260) than the Carnival’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Volkswagen Atlas is faster than the Kia Carnival:

	Atlas	Carnival 4 cyl. hybrid gas	Carnival V6
Zero to 30 MPH	3.2 sec	3.3 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8.5 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.6 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	87 MPH	90 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Atlas
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	SE 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/26 hwy
Carnival
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy

Both the Atlas 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 Atlas’ have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Atlas’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Carnival:

	Atlas	Carnival
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12.8 inches

The Atlas’ 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 Atlas stops much shorter than the Carnival:

	Atlas	Carnival
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	153 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Carnival (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Carnival (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Carnival LX/LXS’ standard 65 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 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 Atlas SE/Peak Edition has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Carnival LX/LXS. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige.

Suspension and Handling

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Carnival doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

Chassis

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Kia Carnival.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has .4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more rear headroom than the Carnival.

Cargo Capacity

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

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

The Atlas 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.

Ergonomics

The Atlas’ 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 Atlas the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower 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 Atlas’ 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Carnival doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Carnival doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Atlas 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 Atlas SEL Premium R Line 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 Volkswagen Atlas has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Carnival EX/SX/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Carnival doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Kia Carnival by 54% during 2024.

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