Compare the2026 Kia CarnivalVS 2025 Infiniti QX60

Both the Carnival and QX60 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Carnival has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX60’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Carnival and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 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 Infiniti QX60:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Carnival is 1.5% to 2.9% less likely to roll over than the QX60.

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 QX60’s 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Carnival 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Infiniti covers the QX60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the QX60 ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Kia dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Carnival’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Carnival’s reliability 13 points higher than the QX60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Carnival first among minivans in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The QX60 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 Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

The Carnival’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 19 more horsepower (287 vs. 268) than the QX60’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Carnival V6 is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

On the EPA test cycle the Carnival gets better mileage than the QX60:

Regenerative brakes improve the Carnival Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX60 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Carnival uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Carnival has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX60. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Carnival stops shorter than the QX60:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Carnival’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the QX60 (121.7 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Carnival is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the QX60.

For better maneuverability, the Carnival’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the QX60’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

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 QX60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Carnival offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the QX60 can only carry 7.

The Carnival has 27.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (168.2 vs. 140.6).

The Carnival has .1 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 9.7 inches more rear hip room, 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.9 inches more third row headroom, 7.6 inches more third row legroom, 5.2 inches more third row hip room and 3.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the QX60.

The Carnival’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

The Carnival has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The QX60 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the Carnival, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the QX60.

The Carnival’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The QX60’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The Carnival’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The QX60 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The Carnival SX/Prestige has standard front air conditioned seats and the Carnival Prestige offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The QX60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Carnival and the Infiniti QX60, 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 QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Kia Carnival outsold the Infiniti QX60 by 73% during 2024.