Telluride SX-P AWD vs Carnival SX-P

[player4]

Hello all,

Wanted to vent out some thoughts I've been having here lately...
Telluride SX-P AWD w/Tow Pkg (Dark Moss w/ Dune Brown Leather) owner here since Nov 2019 considering the Carnival SX-P (Astra Blue w/ Tuscan Amber Leather). As parents of twins that joined us shortly after obtaining the Telluride the kids are growing and as we are using the vehicle more it has become quite obvious the lack of flexibility and even cargo space, considering we always must pack for 2, including strollers, etc. We have to fold down the third row in the Telluride to take our twin stroller anywhere, which then defeats the whole purpose of a 3-row vehicle.
Then all of a sudden my brother showed us the new Carnival after expressing our concerns to him and WOW! Looks like KIA has another homerun with this one, it is a great looking MPV and with even more cool features than the Telluride! We have been doing some research and these seem to be the pluses and minus Carnival vs Telluride:

Carnival Pluses -
- 12.3" LCD Digital Instrument Cluster
- Cargo Volume 40.2 vs 21.0
- Drivers Seat Memory Settings
- Dual Power Tilting & Sliding Sunroofs
- Dual Rear Screen Entertainment monitors
- Passenger Volume 168.2 vs 157.1
- Rear Passenger View Camera
- VIP Lounge Seating

Carnival Minuses -
- No AWD available
- Lower ground clearance than Telluride

Has anyone recently had similar thoughts?
It really has me wondering, considering that Tellurides have increased in value which is something that never happens to a new car. I am getting some great trade-in numbers for ours.
Reviews coming out for Carnival SX-P are all great so far and the few dealers that have them don't seem to be marking up at all.

Great to hear anyones opinion , definitely open!

Cheers,,,

 

[bruesjoh04]

Hello all,

Wanted to vent out some thoughts I've been having here lately...
Telluride SX-P AWD w/Tow Pkg (Dark Moss w/ Dune Brown Leather) owner here since Nov 2019 considering the Carnival SX-P (Astra Blue w/ Tuscan Amber Leather). As parents of twins that joined us shortly after obtaining the Telluride the kids are growing and as we are using the vehicle more it has become quite obvious the lack of flexibility and even cargo space, considering we always must pack for 2, including strollers, etc. We have to fold down the third row in the Telluride to take our twin stroller anywhere, which then defeats the whole purpose of a 3-row vehicle.
Then all of a sudden my brother showed us the new Carnival after expressing our concerns to him and WOW! Looks like KIA has another homerun with this one, it is a great looking MPV and with even more cool features than the Telluride! We have been doing some research and these seem to be the pluses and minus Carnival vs Telluride:

Carnival Pluses -
- 12.3" LCD Digital Instrument Cluster
- Cargo Volume 40.2 vs 21.0
- Drivers Seat Memory Settings
- Dual Power Tilting & Sliding Sunroofs
- Dual Rear Screen Entertainment monitors
- Passenger Volume 168.2 vs 157.1
- Rear Passenger View Camera
- VIP Lounge Seating

Carnival Minuses -
- No AWD available
- Lower ground clearance than Telluride

Has anyone recently had similar thoughts?
It really has me wondering, considering that Tellurides have increased in value which is something that never happens to a new car. I am getting some great trade-in numbers for ours.
Reviews coming out for Carnival SX-P are all great so far and the few dealers that have them don't seem to be marking up at all.

Great to hear anyones opinion , definitely open!

Cheers,,,

If you actually need space and versatility and want to haul a decent amount of stuff while keeping the third row available for use, there is no beating a minivan (or MPV ). The Telluride is surprisingly capable given its exterior dimensions, but it still can't stand up to any van-like vehicle. Third row up or down, there's no contest here.

If you're comparing Telluride SX with Prestige package to a Carnival SX Prestige, note that any SX Telluride has driver seat memory settings, so that's not a Carnival advantage. The Carnival does not have a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, or nappa leather (the Prestige does have real leather, unlike other Carnival models).

 

[player4]

T

If you actually need space and versatility and want to haul a decent amount of stuff while keeping the third row available for use, there is no beating a minivan (or MPV ). The Telluride is surprisingly capable given its exterior dimensions, but it still can't stand up to any van-like vehicle. Third row up or down, there's no contest here.

If you're comparing Telluride SX with Prestige package to a Carnival SX Prestige, note that any SX Telluride has driver seat memory settings, so that's not a Carnival advantage. The Carnival does not have a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, or nappa leather (the Prestige does have real leather, unlike other Carnival models).

Thanks for reminding me of the Telluride pros, I somehow couldn’t think of all at the time.
Indeed, practically and flexibility of minivans are really unmatchable. Must say the HUD and rain sensing wipers would be missed, but not a deal breaker.

 

[Christi]

@player4 While I can't speak about the Kia vehicles yet, I get the debate. I absolutely love my minivan (2007 Toyota Sienna). I have four kids and would never have been able to haul my kids and there gear in anything less. My biggest concern with getting the Telly is loosing the massive cargo space behind the 3rd row.

My youngest will start middle school in the fall with my other middle schooler, then a 16 year old working on driving, and a junior in college. We still travel and do things as a family so a family vehicle is a must.

As my kids are older, I can finally have the vehicle for my personality. Hence the Telluride on order.

Do you go off road or drive in conditions that make AWD and ground clearance a big concern? My FWD van hasn't been truly off-road but has handled dirt roads, sandy beaches, muddy Salt Flats, Portland freezing rain, Rocky Mountain snow, and torrential mid-west rain and wind with no problems.

If my kids were little, Carnival all the way!!!
(My dad is still trying to get me to get the Carnival instead.)

Congrats on the addition of twins. Good luck with your decision.

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[derikf]

Just coming out of the season of life you find yourself in. We just bought a Telluride to replace our Kia Sedona, but if I was in your shoes I’d be replacing with the Carnival rather than the Telluride.

 

[player4]

Thanks Christi and Derikf !
Yepp, seems like we got the Telluride earlier than we should have, considering the max need for space and flexibility right now.

As far as the need for AWD goes, we initially had the Telluride as our only SUV with AWD but in the meantime obtained a Touareg TDI, so that can serve the true SUV, AWD duty now once the Carnival joins us. We do enjoy taking trips up to the Midwest and mountains
Let’s see how it goes ! Already in talks with a dealer, fingers crossed.
Let’s see how it goes ! Already in talks with a dealer, fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone for the input so far !

 

[Butch Cassidy]

For young kids nothing beats a minivan. We had a 2005 Sienna for years and years that was phenomenal. Lacks the “cool factor” but they’ve come a long way from the early Dodge Caravans.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

All depends on your wants and needs.

I love my Telly and if space ever becomes a concern, I can always ask my future theoretical passengers to make their luggage fit by packing less. If there's not enough room in the spacious Telly, maybe a Yakima roof box or they can take their own transportation and lighten the load for multiple vehicles.

I'm not in minivan mode yet, but if y'all need a minivan, get a minivan.

Is Kia replacing the Sedona?

I can't seem to find Kia's amazing minivan on the official Kia website

Carnival is the official replacement?

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[player4]

All depends on your wants and needs.

I love my Telly and if space ever becomes a concern, I can always ask my future theoretical passengers to make their luggage fit by packing less. If there's not enough room in the spacious Telly, maybe a Yakima roof box or they can take their own transportation and lighten the load for multiple vehicles.

I'm not in minivan mode yet, but if y'all need a minivan, get a minivan.

Is Kia replacing the Sedona?

I can't seem to find Kia's amazing minivan on the official Kia website

Carnival is the official replacement?

I think at this point we need the practicality.
Its up on their site !

2026 Kia Carnival: Available Side-Flex Seating, Best-in-Class Cargo & Passenger Space, 3-Row MPV | MSRP & Features | Kia

Learn about the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV's spacious, best-in-class passenger interior with innovative tech, available side-flex seating, and VIP lounge seats.

www.kia.com

 

[stanaka1]

Father of 2 kids ages 8 and 5 here. I have a Chrysler Pacifica and I can tell you that it is the vehicle of choice for hauling kids. Dual screens in the back that can play their own movies from a USB drive keeps them quiet. Sliding doors make life much easier in parking lots and being able to open them remotely so they can jump in themselves is great. With newborns in infant carriers, being able to use the entire door opening to get the carrier in the seat vs. trying to squeeze in a partially open door in a tight space is a no-brainer. The load floor is lower and saves the back when loading the strollers and extra luggage and all the other stuff that kids require. The Pacifica has the Stow n Go second row seats. I don't need the extra cargo room, but I do make use of the storage well in the floor the seats would go into for extra kids clothes, folding potty (life saver, that), roadside emergency gear and a spare tire. The Pacifica with the vacuum option doesn't come with spare, just an can of fix a flat and a compressor. Check the Carnival if is has a spare, lots of manufacturers are getting rid of the spare to save weight and improve MPG. I was such a believer in the minivan that I also had a Sedona at the same time as the Pacifica. I got the Telly when the Sedona got wrecked because I wanted to get to that remote camp site or take the kids to the snow without installing chains. Other than that, I might have gotten another minivan.

 

[stanaka1]

Is Kia replacing the Sedona?

The Sedona was called the Carnival everywhere else in the world. Kia just decided to change the name with the redesign. Shame they couldn't fit an AWD system in there. Hybrid would've been cool too.

 

[Bridge4]

The Sedona was called the Carnival everywhere else in the world. Kia just decided to change the name with the redesign. Shame they couldn't fit an AWD system in there. Hybrid would've been cool too.

And relabel an entire industry to the MVP!!!

My mother had a baby blue Mazda MVP when I was a kid, we loved that thing. This is actually a similar shape, just modernized from my old memories at least lol.


I think we will see AWD soon, with the Toyota doing it, others will follow, same for the hybrid. I actually want a carnival, but wanted to see the first year or two come out and what they are going to change based off of feedback first.

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[Bridge4]

Guys, my 2003 tacoma, which I love dearly, shit the bed for the 3rd time in 1.5 years today, this time the tranny I think.

That carnival may be coming sooner than I thought. It should be able to tow an aluminum trailer and a 900lb lawn mower without really an issue. Whatever I get, it needs to be able to do small tow jobs for maintenance drop offs on some of my stuff. I think the 3500lb should be enough.

Just bought the telly, NOT excited about buying another new car, will wait and see what the dealer says is wrong and go from there

 

[zhelder]

While I’m not a minivan guy, Kia did a nice job on the Carnvial. But no available AWD or heads-up display are huge omissions. Shame, they almost had another home run.

 

[LookingforTelly]

All depends on your wants and needs.

I love my Telly and if space ever becomes a concern, I can always ask my future theoretical passengers to make their luggage fit by packing less. If there's not enough room in the spacious Telly, maybe a Yakima roof box or they can take their own transportation and lighten the load for multiple vehicles.

I'm not in minivan mode yet, but if y'all need a minivan, get a minivan.

Is Kia replacing the Sedona?

I can't seem to find Kia's amazing minivan on the official Kia website

Carnival is the official replacement?

As much as I want to agree with this, one thing I wish was somehow an option to reduce the leg room of the 3rd row in favor of cargo space. As a family of just 3 (full time, more part time kids less often), I can't fit a weeks worth of groceries in the back with the seats up. That really stinks; even coming from a Mazda3, it's disappointing. I CAN fit them, they just have to be stacked stupidly high enough to fall out when the lift opens.

I know space in the third row is great, but if that could scoot up 6" or so, I'd put the littlest in the back and enjoy that little extra space.

I can't imagine traveling with 5 ppl and trying to fit luggage in for a weeklong trip or more. But then again, my family carries an extra fullsize luggage just for shoes. We're not bougie, but we need our things, haha. I think the car is perfect for 4 with the back row folded down. Maybe 5, if you fold down one side. Anymore than that, seems tight.

 

[Tortuga07]

I CAN fit them, they just have to be stacked stupidly high enough to fall out when the lift opens.

If they made it possible to open the hatch window it would help with this. Why don't more SUVs do that? Maybe the 2022

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[LookingforTelly]

If they made it possible to open the hatch window it would help with this. Why don't more SUVs do that? Maybe the 2022

That would help for sure. I need to slice my Toughpro mats so I can lay 1 seat down. That would work too.