Compare the2026 Kia CarnivalVS 2025 Lexus TX

The Carnival has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The TX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Carnival and the TX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors 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 Kia Carnival is safer than the Lexus TX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Kia Carnival is safer than the TX:

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Carnival is 2.9% to 3.4% less likely to roll over than the TX.

The Carnival comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire van and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The TX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Carnival 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the TX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the TX ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Carnival’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Carnival first among minivans in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The TX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Carnival 4 cyl. hybrid gas is faster than the TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Carnival gets better mileage than the TX running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Carnival uses regular unleaded gasoline. The TX requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Carnival has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 550h+’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Carnival has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 350’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 17.8 gallons).

The Carnival stops much shorter than the TX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Carnival’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the TX (121.7 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Carnival is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the TX.

The design of the Kia Carnival amounts to more than styling. The Carnival has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the TX (.34 to .35). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Carnival get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Carnival Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The TX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Carnival offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the TX can only carry up to 7.

The Carnival has 15.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TX (168.2 vs. 153).

The Carnival has 3.3 inches more front hip room, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom, 9.6 inches more rear hip room, 4.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 2.1 inches more third row legroom, 4.7 inches more third row hip room and 2.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the TX.

The Carnival’s cargo area provides more volume than the TX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Carnival and the Lexus TX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Carnival first among minivans in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The TX isn’t in the top three.

The Kia Carnival outsold the Lexus TX by 62% during 2024.