2025 Kia Carnival Vs. 2025 Kia Telluride Comparison
Families looking for their next spacious and versatile three-row ride will want to pay close attention to this neck-and-neck Kia Carnival vs. Telluride comparison. The 2025 Kia Carnival multipurpose vehicle (MPV) delivers a best-in-class maximum cargo capacity of 141.5 cubic feet behind its front row. On the other hand, the 2025 Kia Telluride SUV lets you haul a pair of Jet Skis or ATVs with its towing capacity of up to 5,500 pounds1 and offers available all-wheel drive for increased traction while doing so. Either way, you’ll have 17 standard driver-assistance systems to keep your most precious cargo safe on the road: your family.
Whether the convenient space of the Carnival MPV or the robust power of the Telluride sport-ute catches your eye, understanding the differences between these two family vehicles is worth your time. We at Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw want to help you find the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle, so let’s put these two side by side. Once you’ve seen the on-paper differences between the Kia Carnival and Kia Telluride, visit our showroom for a personal tour.
Kia Carnival vs. Telluride: Trim Levels
The new Kia Carnival for sale has the following five different trims to tour:
- 2025 Kia Carnival LX
- 2025 Kia Carnival LXS
- 2025 Kia Carnival EX
- 2025 Kia Carnival SX
- 2025 Kia Carnival SX Prestige
Start with the well-appointed LX or boost the seating capacity from seven to eight with the LXS, EX, and SX trims. The LXS and EX trims provide additional comfort, from heated front seats to the Flare Red exterior paint shade. The SX trim adds a little more with a Blind-Spot View Monitor and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The SX Prestige level for the Kia Carnival lets you choose between seven and eight seats and adds premium features like a 12-speaker Bose® audio system, a heated steering wheel, and an 11-inch Head-Up Display.
If you want customization galore, our Kia Telluride specials cover these 10 trim levels to match your needs:
- 2025 Kia Telluride LX
- 2025 Kia Telluride S
- 2025 Kia Telluride EX
- 2025 Kia Telluride SX
- 2025 Kia Telluride EX X-Line
- 2025 Kia Telluride EX X-Pro
- 2025 Kia Telluride SX X-Line
- 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige
- 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line
- 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro
The LX starts the menu off with a loaded feature list, including a standard power sunroof, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, and leather seats. Standard AWD drive begins with the EX X-Line trim, and SX models up the standard 4.2-inch instrument display to a massive 12.3-inch version and adds a premium 10-speaker Harman Kardon® sound system, memory settings to the driver’s seat and side mirrors, and extra driver aids, such as a more robust Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system and a Surround View Monitor. Opting for the SX Prestige or higher even gets a 10-inch Head-Up Display.
Kia Carnival vs. Telluride: Interior Space & Comfort
Both the Carnival and Telluride are capable vehicles that let you stretch out, but the spacious Carnival interior will give you adult-friendly legroom in the third row than the Kia Telluride – with 35.6 and 31.4 inches of rear legroom, respectively. Their first- and second-row legroom is more competitive – the Kia Carnival legroom measures 41.1 inches in the first row and 40.5 inches in the second row, while the Kia Telluride offers 41.4 inches of first-row legroom and 42.4 inches of second-row legroom.
The third-row headroom dimensions are much closer between models than the legroom. The Carnival has between 36.5 and 38.6 inches, depending on whether your model has a sunroof or not. The Telluride has between 37.8 and 38.1 inches, depending on whether you opt for single or dual sunroofs.
The MPV undoubtedly wins out in our Kia Carnival vs. Telluride cargo space comparison, though. The Kia Carnival has a massive 40.2 cubic feet of minimum cargo space – which expands to 145.1 cubic feet when the back rows are folded down. This is great for family trips or move-in days. The Telluride cargo space area of 21 cubic feet behind the third row – 87 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats down – won’t let you bring as much gear on weekend adventures but still provides ample space for the average family.
Both Kia vehicles emphasize comfort. The Carnival has available features like ventilated front seats, front power seats with driver memory, and leather seat trims to elevate the driving experience. Meanwhile, the Telluride offers standard leather seats and rear-passenger automatic climate control, along with available Nappa leather, power lumbar adjustment, and driver smart posture control to support you exquisitely during long drives.
Kia Carnival vs. Telluride: Technology & Infotainment
Both vehicles have plenty to love regarding infotainment. A standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system can be complemented with an upgraded 12.3-inch instrument display on Telluride SX models. Wired Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® come standard, and an available 10-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system keeps the party moving.
The Carnival has the same infotainment and instrument cluster options as the Telluride. The main differences come in the form of smartphone integration and available audio systems. The Carnival has standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and provides access to a 12-speaker Bose® premium sound system that’s available on the SX Prestige trim. Plus, upper Carnival trims can add the optional dual-screen rear entertainment system to keep the kids occupied on road trips.
Both vehicles have state-of-the-art technology to keep your family safe on the road, boasting 17 standard driver-assistance features in either model. Some of their common driver-aids include the following:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist &
- Junction Turning Detection
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Park Distance Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Highway Driving Assist
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Safe Exit Assist
The Carnival cabin camera and intercom make checking on the back rows during energetic rides easy. Owners of one of the SX models in either vehicle’s lineup can take advantage of Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning capabilities, letting the automobile adapt to your driving style in real time. Contact us to learn more about the standard and available driver-support systems in the 2025 Carnival and Telluride.
Test-Drive the Carnival and Telluride at Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw
Whether you want the extra space of a Kia Carnival or the increased towing capacity of the Telluride, you can schedule a test drive at Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw. You can also dig further with other comparisons, like the Kia Carnival vs. Kia Sedona, to explore similar options in the lineup.
To see how the Telluride stacks up to the competition, check out our Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kia model offers more interior space and comfort: the Carnival or Telluride?
Regarding interior space, the Carnival edges out the Telluride. At 145.1 cubic feet with the second and third row folded, the Carnival MPV offers plenty of room for whatever you need – though with 87 cubic feet, Telluride cargo space is nothing to scoff at. Both vehicles offer excellent comfort options, but the Telluride has a few edges, such as available Nappa leather seating.
What are the key differences between the 2025 Kia Carnival and Kia Telluride?
The primary differences between the 2025 Kia Carnival and the 2025 Kia Telluride are size and strength. The 2025 Kia Carnival is a minivan with more maximum cargo space and available third-row legroom than the three-row SUV. However, the 2025 Telluride towing capacity is higher when properly equipped and, with available AWD, is steadier on rough terrain. Both vehicles have around the same fuel economy and seating capacity.
How does the fuel efficiency of the Kia Carnival compare to the Kia Telluride?
The 2025 Kia Carnival has around the same fuel efficiency as the Kia Telluride. When both vehicles are equipped with FWD, the Kia Carnival has an EPA-estimated 18/26/21 MPG (City/Highway/Combined), while the Kia Telluride has an EPA-estimated 20/26/22 MPG (City/Highway/Combined). Equipping AWD on the Telluride lowers this estimation to 18/23/20 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).