2027 Kia Carnival vs. 2026 Toyota Sienna

Bulldog Kia says the Toyota Sienna has the edge in fuel economy with its hybrid-only powertrain at up to 36 mpg combined versus the Kia Carnival Hybrid's 33, but the Carnival counters with a strong 290 hp (242 hp in hybrid form) that comes in handy merging onto the highway with kids and gear in tow, and offers more tech including available dual 12.3-inch displays, Passenger View with Night Vision, and a Passenger Talk intercom versus the Sienna's standard 8-inch touchscreen, plus a more comfortable third row in higher trims than the Sienna's tighter accommodations. TrueCar says the Kia Carnival's $39,035 MSRP undercuts the Toyota Sienna's $42,915 TSRP by $3,880, a gap that stretches to $3,926 based on real-world average prices, while the Sienna wins on fuel economy at 36 city/36 highway mpg versus the Carnival's 18 city/26 highway.

Which to choose, and why

More power and tech for the Carnival; better mpg for the Sienna

Bulldog Kia (opens in a new tab) says the Toyota Sienna has the edge in fuel economy with its hybrid-only powertrain at up to 36 mpg combined versus the Kia Carnival Hybrid's 33, but the Carnival counters with a strong 290 hp (242 hp in hybrid form) that comes in handy merging onto the highway with kids and gear in tow, and offers more tech including available dual 12.3-inch displays, Passenger View with Night Vision, and a Passenger Talk intercom versus the Sienna's standard 8-inch touchscreen, plus a more comfortable third row in higher trims than the Sienna's tighter accommodations.

$3,880 to $3,926 cheaper Carnival

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Kia Carnival's $39,035 MSRP undercuts the Toyota Sienna's $42,915 TSRP by $3,880, a gap that stretches to $3,926 based on real-world average prices, while the Sienna wins on fuel economy at 36 city/36 highway mpg versus the Carnival's 18 city/26 highway.

Questions buyers ask

Which has more horsepower, the Kia Carnival or Toyota Sienna?

Bulldog Kia (opens in a new tab) says the Carnival, with 290 hp on its gas engine.

Which is cheaper, the Kia Carnival or Toyota Sienna?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Carnival, by $3,880 at MSRP/TSRP.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Kia Carnival: 2 records · Toyota Sienna: 2 records.

Decision field	Kia Carnival	Toyota Sienna
Exact EPA records	2	2
Model / option labels	2	2
Drive layouts	Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)	Automatic (AV-S6)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Minivan - 2WD	Minivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WD
Combined efficiency	21–33 MPG/MPGe	35–36 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1950–3100 per year	$1800–1850 per year

Head to head

Kia Carnival vs. Toyota Sienna: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Kia Carnival	Toyota Sienna
Starting price (KBB base)	$39,035	$41,915
Top trim price (KBB base)	$53,135	$59,305
Horsepower	287 hp	245 hp
Torque	260 lb-ft	176 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,555-4,810 lb	4,610-4,725 lb
Length	203 in	203.7-204.1 in
Wheelbase	121.7 in	120.5 in
Cargo volume	145.1 cu ft	101 cu ft
Towing capacity	3,500 lb	3,500 lb
Seating	7-8 seats	7-8 seats
Basic warranty	5 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 and 2026 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Kia Carnival starts $2,880 lower: $39,035 against $41,915 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Kia Carnival leads: 287 hp against 245 hp.
On peak torque, the Kia Carnival leads: 260 lb-ft against 176 lb-ft.
The Kia Carnival is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,555 lb against 4,610 lb.
On length, the Toyota Sienna leads: 204.1 in against 203 in.
On wheelbase, the Kia Carnival leads: 121.7 in against 120.5 in.
On cargo volume, the Kia Carnival leads: 145.1 cu ft against 101 cu ft.
Both list the same maximum towing capacity: 3,500 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 8 seats.
On basic warranty, the Kia Carnival leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Kia Carnival and the Toyota Sienna.

2027 Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival is a minivan manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia since 1998, formerly marketed as the Kia Sedona in North America and several other markets. The first-generation Carnival was introduced in January 1998, and was marketed in a single, short- wheelbase version. Second-generation models were marketed in short and long wheelbase variants.

Powertrain: Safety In the United States, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Carnival Good in the small overlap front test (2022~2026 models), Marginal in the updated moderate overlap front test (2023~2026 models). Beginning with 2025 models, structural reinforcements were added to the B-pillar, front and rear doors and rear seat rails.
Awards: The American configuration of the Hyundai Entourage earned a five-star safety rating–the highest honor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bestows–for all seating positions in frontal and side-impact crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Entourage "Good"–its highest rating – in front, side and rear impacts.

Source: Kia Carnival (Wikipedia)

Reception. The Kia Sedona (Carnival) has received the 2007 MotorWeek "Best Minivan" award in its 2007 Drivers' Choice Awards and The Car Book's 2007 "Best Bet" distinction. Overall, Kia models improved 22% in J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study (IQS), and improved twice as much as any competitor in the last 3 years.

Trim levels. The (base) GLS model features 16-inch wheels, removable second-row captain's chairs, 60/40 split-folding third-row fold-in-floor seat, a six-way manual-adjustable driver seat, tri-zone air-conditioning, six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control, power windows and door locks and keyless entry.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

April 2026, Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail. Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
January 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Carnival, most often about electrical system (82), unknown or other (19), engine (15).

2026 Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna is a minivan manufactured and marketed by Toyota primarily for the North American market. It is named for the Italian city of Siena, in the region of Tuscany. It replaced the first generation Previa van, and the Toyota Camry wagon in 1997 (for the 1998 model year) with a more conventional front-wheel drive layout and shares a heavily revised platform with the Camry.

Safety: This generation was noteworthy for its impressive safety content as one of the few minivans at the time to offer options including front seat-mounted side torso airbags and Vehicle Stability Control. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Sienna "Good" in all six frontal crash test measures, which was far better than the Previa.
Awards: 2004: Car and Driver's Five Best Trucks Van Award Edmunds Editor's Most Wanted Van Edmunds Consumers' Most Wanted 2010: Best Resale Value Award Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Pick" Award (2011 model year only) 2019: Longest-Kept Minivan

Source: Toyota Sienna (Wikipedia)

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2027Kia Carnival2 configurations →02 · 2026Toyota Sienna2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Kia Carnival or the 2026 Toyota Sienna?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota Sienna lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (35.5 vs. the 2027 Kia Carnival's 27 MPG/MPGe).