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Honda Pilot Vs Kia Carnival: Which Three-row Suv Reigns Supreme?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Honda Pilot comes standard with a variety of features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features.
  • The Kia Carnival also comes standard with a variety of features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features.
  • However, the Carnival offers a few more standard features than the Pilot, such as a sunroof, a power liftgate, and a heated steering wheel.

When it comes to choosing a family vehicle, two of the most popular options are the Honda Pilot and the Kia Carnival. Both vehicles offer spacious interiors, comfortable seating, and a variety of features that make them ideal for families on the go. But which one is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll take a closer look at the Honda Pilot and the Kia Carnival to help you make an informed decision.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available as an option. The Kia Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is also available as an option.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Honda Pilot gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. The Kia Carnival gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway with all-wheel drive.

Interior Space and Comfort

The Honda Pilot has a spacious interior with seating for up to eight passengers. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second row offers plenty of legroom and headroom. The third row is a bit tight, but it’s still usable for children or occasional adult passengers. The Kia Carnival has an even more spacious interior with seating for up to 11 passengers. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second and third rows offer plenty of legroom and headroom. The third row is also more comfortable than the third row in the Honda Pilot.

Features and Technology

The Honda Pilot comes standard with a variety of features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features. The Kia Carnival also comes standard with a variety of features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features. However, the Carnival offers a few more standard features than the Pilot, such as a sunroof, a power liftgate, and a heated steering wheel.

Safety

Both the Honda Pilot and the Kia Carnival have received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Pilot received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. The Carnival received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

Price

The Honda Pilot has a starting price of $39,150. The Kia Carnival has a starting price of $33,275.

Which One is Right for You?

The Honda Pilot and the Kia Carnival are both excellent choices for families. The Pilot offers a more powerful engine and better fuel efficiency, while the Carnival offers more interior space, more standard features, and a lower starting price. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

The Verdict: Honda Pilot vs Kia Carnival

After comparing the Honda Pilot and the Kia Carnival in detail, we believe that the Kia Carnival is the better choice for most families. It offers more interior space, more standard features, and a lower starting price than the Pilot. The Pilot is a great choice for families who need a powerful engine and good fuel efficiency, but the Carnival is the better overall value.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Which vehicle has a more powerful engine?
A: The Kia Carnival has a more powerful engine than the Honda Pilot. The Carnival’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Q: Which vehicle gets better fuel efficiency?
A: The Honda Pilot gets better fuel efficiency than the Kia Carnival. The Pilot gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. The Carnival gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway with all-wheel drive.

Q: Which vehicle has more interior space?
A: The Kia Carnival has more interior space than the Honda Pilot. The Carnival has seating for up to 11 passengers, while the Pilot has seating for up to eight passengers. The Carnival also has more cargo space than the Pilot.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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