Battle of the Family-Size Utility Vehicles: Kia Telluride vs Kia Carnival
Two Kia nameplates, two very different approaches to hauling your family. The Telluride brings rugged SUV attitude with available all-wheel drive and serious towing muscle, while the Carnival leans into passenger comfort with sliding doors and a cavernous interior. Both seat up to eight, both run on V6 engines, and both come loaded with tech. So which one fits your life better?
- The Telluride offers up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and available AWD, making it the stronger pick for hauling and rough weather driving.
- With 145.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and available VIP Lounge Seats, the Carnival wins big on interior room and passenger comfort.
- Both vehicles start in the mid-to-upper $30,000 range and carry Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 2025 Kia Telluride | 2025 Kia Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8L V6, 291 hp | 3.5L V6, 287 hp (Hybrid available: 242 hp) |
| Seating Capacity | 7 or 8 passengers | 7 or 8 passengers |
| Fuel Economy (FWD, combined) | 22 mpg | 22 mpg (V6) / 32 mpg (Hybrid) |
| Max Cargo Space | 87 cu. ft. | 145.1 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Behind Third Row | 21 cu. ft. | 40.2 cu. ft. |
| Max Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs (5,500 X-Pro) | 3,500 lbs (V6) |
| AWD Available | Yes | No (FWD only) |
| Sliding Doors | No | Yes (power sliding) |
| Hybrid Option | No (coming 2027) | Yes |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | No (wired USB-A) | Yes |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10-year / 100,000-mile | 10-year / 100,000-mile |
V6 Power With a Twist
Pop the hood on either vehicle and you’ll find a V6. The Telluride runs a 3.8-liter unit producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive comes standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. Fuel economy lands around 20 city and 26 highway with FWD, dipping slightly with AWD.
Over in the Carnival, a 3.5-liter V6 puts out 287 horsepower through the same eight-speed automatic, but it’s front-wheel drive only. You’ll get roughly 19 city and 26 highway on the fuel economy front. For 2025, Kia added a hybrid option pairing a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for 242 combined horsepower and an estimated 32 mpg combined. That’s a big deal for families watching fuel costs.
Space and Seating: Where They Really Split
This is where the Kia Telluride vs. Kia Carnival conversation gets interesting. Both seat seven or eight, but they use that space very differently.
Inside the Telluride, you get a proper SUV feel with 21 cubic feet of cargo behind the back seats and 87 cubic feet with everything folded flat. That’s plenty for a weekend camping trip or a furniture store run.
Cargo volume is where the Carnival dominates. You’re looking at 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a massive 145.1 cubic feet with everything folded. Sliding side doors make loading kids, car seats, and groceries a breeze in tight parking lots. Spring for the SX Prestige trim and those second-row VIP Lounge Seats with power-reclining leg rests rival a first-class cabin.
Towing and Adventure-Readiness
If you plan to pull a boat or camper, the Telluride has a clear advantage. Towing capacity tops out at 5,000 pounds (5,500 on the X-Pro), enough for mid-size trailers and jet ski rigs. AWD and all-terrain tires on the X-Pro add confidence on gravel roads and in winter weather.
With the V6, the Carnival can tow up to 3,500 pounds, enough for small pop-up campers and utility trailers. Its hybrid model drops to around 1,000 pounds, though, so keep that in mind.
Tech and the Daily Drive
Kia loads both vehicles with a 12.3-inch touchscreen (on mid and upper trims), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and plenty of driver-assistance features like forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Where the Carnival pulls ahead is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on most trims, while the Telluride still relies on a wired USB-A connection. An in-cabin intercom and camera system also come available on the Carnival, which is a real lifesaver when you’re trying to talk to kids in the third row without turning around.
Picking the Right Kia for Your Family
Choosing between these two comes down to how you spend your weekends. Towing a boat to the lake, driving through Indiana winters, or just prefer the look of an SUV? The Telluride checks every box. Kelley Blue Book named it their 2025 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money, and that reputation is well earned.
If easy loading and the biggest cargo area top your list, the Carnival is tough to beat. Those sliding doors and the available hybrid powertrain make it the smarter daily driver for larger families. Either way, Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty backs you up for the long haul.
See Both Models at Ray Skillman Southside Kia
At Ray Skillman Southside Kia, we keep both the Telluride and Carnival in stock so you can walk through each one back-to-back. Our team on South U.S. 31 in Indianapolis has been helping local drivers find the right Kia for over 45 years. Whether you’re leaning toward the SUV’s towing power or the minivan’s sliding-door convenience, we’ll match you with the trim that fits your budget.
