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2026 Kia Carnival
Minivan · 2022–2027 · Carnival, Carnival Hybrid
Trims and features
What changed for 2026
- Starting prices: +$590 (5 trims; hover for each)
- Engine: LAMBDA III → 3.5L V6 GDI (all trims)
- Power liftgate: Hands-Free Power Liftgate → Power Liftgate (SX, EX, SX Prestige)
2026 Carnival trims
| EX | LX | LXS | SX | SX Prestige | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||||
| Starting MSRP | $41,590 | $37,390 | $39,390 | $46,490 | $51,490 |
| Powertrain | |||||
| Engine | 3.5L V6 GDI | 3.5L V6 GDI | 3.5L V6 GDI | 3.5L V6 GDI | 3.5L V6 GDI |
| Horsepower | 287 hp | 287 hp | 287 hp | 287 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Drivetrain | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd |
| Size and capability | |||||
| Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 + option |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Cargo behind last row | 40.2 cu ft | 40.2 cu ft | 40.2 cu ft | 40.2 cu ft | 40.2 cu ft |
| Tech | |||||
| Touchscreen | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless |
| Android Auto | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless |
| Digital gauge cluster | 4.2 in | 4.2 in | 4.2 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| Head-up display | — | — | — | — | Windshield HUD |
| Audio | — | — | — | — | Bose |
| Speakers | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 12 |
| Wireless phone charging | Qi | — | — | Qi | Qi |
| Driver assistance | |||||
| Adaptive cruise control | Adaptive Cruise with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise with Stop & Go |
| Lane keeping | Lane Centering | Lane Centering | Lane Centering | Lane Centering | Lane Centering |
| Blind-spot monitoring | Blind Spot Intervention | Blind Spot Intervention | Blind Spot Intervention | Blind Spot Intervention | Blind Spot Intervention |
| Automatic emergency braking | AEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist Detection | AEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist Detection | AEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist Detection | AEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist Detection | AEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist Detection |
| Rear cross-traffic | Rear Cross-Traffic with Automatic Braking | Rear Cross-Traffic with Automatic Braking | Rear Cross-Traffic with Automatic Braking | Rear Cross-Traffic with Automatic Braking | Rear Cross-Traffic with Automatic Braking |
| 360-degree camera | — | — | — | Surround View Camera | Surround View Camera |
| Parking sensors | Front, Rear | Front, Rear | Front, Rear | Front, Rear | Front, Rear |
| Comfort | |||||
| Seats | Synthetic Leather | Cloth | Synthetic Leather | Synthetic Leather | Leather |
| Heated seats | Front | — | Front | Front | Front + option |
| Ventilated seats | — | — | — | Front | Front + option |
| Climate zones | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Remote start | Key Fob Remote Start | Key Fob Remote Start | Key Fob Remote Start | Key Fob Remote Start | Key Fob Remote Start |
| Second row | Bench Seat | — | Bench Seat | Bench Seat | Optional |
| Exterior | |||||
| Sunroof | — | — | — | Panoramic Moonroof | Panoramic Moonroof |
| Power liftgate | Power Liftgate | — | — | Power Liftgate | Power Liftgate |
| Wheels | 19 in | 17 in | 17 in | 19 in | 19 in |
| Headlights | LED Reflector | LED Reflector | LED Reflector | LED Reflector | Bi-LED Projector |
Packages and options (29)
| EX | LX | LXS | SX | SX Prestige | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX Dark Edition Package $1,000 | — | — | — | Optional | — |
| Rear Seat Entertainment Package $2,500 | — | — | — | — | Optional |
| SX Prestige Seat Package | — | — | — | — | Optional |
| Cross Bars $400 | Optional | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Mud Guards $160 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Tow Hitch $750 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Wheel Locks $80 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| All-Weather Floor Mats $315 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror with HomeLink $400 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Mat $120 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Net $65 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Tray $130 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Carpeted Floor Mats $285 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Carpeted Floor Mats (Luxury) $285 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| First Aid Kit, Small $45 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Illuminated Rear Cargo Panel $375 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roadside Assistance Kit $75 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Astra Blue $495 | — | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Aurora Black $495 | Optional | — | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ceramic Silver $495 | Optional | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Deep Chroma Blue | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | — |
| Flare Red | Optional | — | Optional | Optional | — |
| Ivory Silver $495 | Optional | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Panthera Metal | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Snow White $495 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Navy / Gray | Optional | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Off-Black | — | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Taupe / Off-Black | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | — |
| Tuscan Umber / Off-Black | Optional | — | — | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem configurator, Oem brochure, Oem order guide, Nhtsa vin decode, Oem press release. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Apple lists CarPlay for: Carnival 2022–2025 (Apple).
NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID PV HEV FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | KIA CARNIVAL PV ICE FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID PV HEV FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 1 | 22 |
| 2026 | KIA CARNIVAL PV N/A FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 2 | 26 |
| 2025 | Kia Carnival PV FWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 1 | 126 |
| 2025 | Kia Carnival HEV PV FWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 0 | 64 |
| 2024 | Kia Carnival PV Later Release FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard | 0 | 9 |
| 2024 | Kia Carnival PV FWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 2 | 75 |
| 2023 | Kia Carnival MV FWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 4 | 51 |
| 2022 | Kia Carnival MV FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Standard | 6 | 136 |
Source: NHTSA.
EPA fuel economy (combined mpg)
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Carnival | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2027 | Carnival Hybrid | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2026 | Carnival | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2026 | Carnival Hybrid | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo | 32 |
| 2025 | Carnival | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2025 | Carnival Hybrid | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2024 | Carnival | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2023 | Carnival | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2022 | Carnival | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.