Kia Carnival vs Toyota Sienna

Key Takeaways:

• The 2027 Kia Carnival offers up to 145.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume.
• Every Carnival V6 makes 287 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic.
• Available VIP Lounge Seats bring heated and ventilated comfort to the second row.

The Kia Carnival runs a 3.5-liter V6 making 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Toyota Sienna uses a 2.5-liter hybrid system rated at 245 net combined horsepower. The Sienna offers Electronic On-Demand AWD, standard on Woodland Edition and Platinum.

Merging onto I-75 shows the Carnival’s character. The V6 holds a 42-horsepower edge over the Sienna’s hybrid and reaches 60 MPH in 8.2 seconds. Electric power steering takes 3.0 turns lock-to-lock for easy turns, and Highway Driving Assist 2 helps hold the lane along US-41.

Fuel economy tilts toward Toyota, with the Sienna earning an EPA-estimated 36 city/36 highway MPG in FWD trims.* The Carnival V6 earns an EPA-estimated 18 city/26 highway MPG on regular fuel, and that extra muscle pays off once the cargo area fills up.*

Both tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, plenty for a small boat trailer headed to Port Charlotte Beach Park.

The new Kia Carnival pairs a panoramic curved display with Digital Key 2, over-the-air updates, and Multi-zone Voice Recognition that responds to “Hey Kia.” The Sienna counters with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 on every grade, wireless Apple CarPlay, and seven USB ports.

Wonder if these models are easy to park? The Carnival offers a Surround View Monitor and Remote Smart Parking Assist, while the Sienna offers a Panoramic View Monitor on Platinum and Parking Assist with Automatic Braking on XLE and above.

We scored the categories that shape daily family life.

The Carnival swallows strollers and beach gear behind the third row with space left for a cooler, and its V6 keeps road trips toward Tampa feeling responsive. Those ventilated second-row seats earn their spot on a humid July afternoon after a day at Caspersen Beach.