Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.
| Carnival | Ascent | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kia | Subaru |
| Starting price | $37,390 | $40,795 |
| Monthly payment | $435 | $474 |
| Fuel type | Hybrid | Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 32.0 mpg | 21.5 mpg |
| CO₂ emissions | 275 g/mi–428 g/mi | 406 g/mi–422 g/mi |
| Annual maintenance cost | — | — |
Common-issue data is not available yet.
The Subaru Ascent has been subject to numerous NHTSA recall campaigns across all model years from 2019 to 2026, with the heaviest concentration in 2019 and 2020. Because the specific defect details are not disclosed in the available research, buyers should check for open recalls and have them completed at no charge at an authorized dealer before purchase.
Kia Carnival and Subaru Ascent suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.
Carnival starts at $37,390; Ascent starts at $40,795. The difference is $3,405, making Carnival about 8% cheaper before financing.
Estimated monthly payment: Carnival — $435; Ascent — $474. The difference is $39 per month, with Carnival lower.
The models use different powertrains: Carnival — Hybrid; Ascent — Gasoline. The better choice depends on your daily route and access to charging.
The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.
Want to compare other models? Return to the full catalog or calculate financing using your own terms.
