Head-to-head
2025 Kia Carnival vs 2025 Toyota Sienna
The Kia Carnival wins clearly, 96.6 to 79.6, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Toyota Sienna is ahead on fuel & range.
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2025 Kia Carnival
The 2025 Kia Carnival is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas minivan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Carnival Hybrid, is EPA-r…
vs
D2025 Toyota Sienna
The 2025 Toyota Sienna is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid minivan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sienna 2WD, is EPA-rated at 36 m…
More Kia Carnival head-to-heads More Toyota Sienna head-to-heads Every Carnival vs Sienna model year
Verdict · default weights
2025 Kia Carnival
Clear winThe Kia Carnival wins clearly, 96.6 to 79.6, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Toyota Sienna is ahead on fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2025 Kia Carnival leads by 40.2
Safety 2025 Kia Carnival leads by 28.8
Performance 2025 Kia Carnival leads by 33.9
| Category · weight | 2025 Toyota Siennaoverall 79.6 | 2025 Kia Carnivaloverall 96.6 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 93.9 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 90.7 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 66.4 | 95.2 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 89.9 | 93.2 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 66.1 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 59.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 79.6 | 96.6 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Toyota Sienna: base trim LE FWD · Kia Carnival: base trim LX FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Kia Carnival wins
- It lists 35 standard driver-assist features against 19.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 29 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (197 against 268 filed with NHTSA).
Where the 2025 Toyota Sienna answers
- It costs $200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,050).
- It seats 8 against 7.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $39,185 | $36,800 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 2,487 cc | 3,470 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head | 3.5-liter V6 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Lambda III Engine |
| Fuel injection system | D-4S Injection | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 24-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 189 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 36 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 36 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 36 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.510:1 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) with sequential shift mode | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 6.3 in | 6.8 in |
| Overall height | 68.5 in | 68.5 in |
| Overall length | 204 in | 203 in |
| Overall width | 78.5 in | 78.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 121 in | 122 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 101 cu-ft | 145 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 75.2 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 33.5 cu-ft | 40.2 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.1 in | 40.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.3 in | 39.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.4 in | 38.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 40.3 in | 41.1 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.9 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row legroom | 38.7 in | 35.6 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,610 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,610 lbs | 4,555 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 6,283 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with stabilizer bar | Multi-link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) | Column-Mounted Electric Power steering |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 38.3 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 328 mm | 325 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 318 mm | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P235/65R17 | P235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18 gal | 19 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota Safety Connect / Service Connect / Remote Connect / Wi-Fi Connect | — |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 12 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 64.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 62.7 in | 63.2 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 58.5 in | 59.5 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
173 features · differences first, then sharedSafety30 differ · 42 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) - Car / Pedestrian / Cyclist (Fusion-type with Sensor) | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (N-SCC with S&G) | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Forward and Reverse (PDW-F/R) | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R) | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | — | std |
| Second-row outboard seat-mounted side airbags | std | — |
| 1st-row side airbags | — | std |
| 3-point seat belts | — | std |
| Advanced Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Child-protector rear door locks | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold function | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Five LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) locations: includes lower anchors on all three second-row seats, and passenger-side and center third-row seats | std | — |
| Front seat-belt pretensioners | — | std |
| Height adjustable front headrests | — | std |
| Height adjustable rear headrests - 7 seats | — | std |
| Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors | — | std |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | — | std |
| Impact sensing door unlock | — | std |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) with Ultrasonic Sensor | — | std |
| Speed sensing door lock | — | std |
| Star Safety System™—includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 (TSS 2.0) —Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Road Sign Assist (RSA) | std | — |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance (RCTA) | std | std |
| Dual front advanced air bags | std | std |
| Dual front seat-mounted side air bags | std | std |
| Full-length side curtain air bags | std | std |
| Rear view monitor with dynamic parking guidance | std | std |
| 4-wheel Antilock Brakes System (ABS) | std | std |
| Blind Spot Collision Avoidance (BCA) | std | std |
| Driver's knee airbag | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - high line | std | std |
Infotainment14 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Hands-free with Voice Recognition | — | std |
| 2nd-row USB ports (integrated into side of 1st-row seats) | — | std |
| 3rd-row USB ports (located above arm rests) | — | std |
| 6-speakers (including tweeters) | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, eight speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription | opt | — |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription | std | — |
| 8-inch audio display unit with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (DA 2.0V) | — | std |
| Floor console media port with 2 USB ports | — | std |
| One USB media port and six USB charge ports | std | — |
| Remote Connect — Remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app. 1-year trial subscription (Capable on LE). | std | — |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. 1-year trial subscription. | std | — |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Up to 10-year trial subscription. | std | — |
| Steering wheel mounted audio controls | — | std |
| Wireless phone charger (15-watt) | std | — |
| Wi-fi hotspot | std | std |
Convenience12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key with push-button start, burglar alarm, escort headlamp, immobilizer and panic | — | std |
| Dual power sliding side doors | std | — |
| Luggage power outlet | — | std |
| Manual tailgate | — | std |
| One 12V DC outlet (under bridge console) | std | — |
| Power door locks with driver and passenger control | — | std |
| Power door locks with shift-activated locking feature and anti-lockout feature | std | — |
| Power windows (front and rear) | — | std |
| Power windows with one-touch auto up/down, jam protection in all positions | std | — |
| Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic, and Push Button Start | std | — |
| Smart power sliding rear doors (hands-free) | — | std |
| Power windows with driver's one-touch auto-up/down and safety | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Three-zone automatic climate control with air filter, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers, and separate rear digital control panel | std | — |
| Tri-zone automatic climate control with auto defog and rear control | std | std |
Seating12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with 4-way power lumbar support | std | — |
| 2nd-row removable seats | — | std |
| 2nd-row sliding side seats | — | std |
| 3rd-row 60/40 split-folding seats with double recline | — | std |
| 3rd-row seatback hooks | — | std |
| 7-passenger seating | — | std |
| 8-passenger seating with fabric second-row bench with stowable center seat | std | — |
| Cloth seat trim | — | std |
| Fabric 60/40 One-Motion-Stow Split & Stow 3rd Row® seat | std | — |
| Fabric front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat | std | — |
| Height adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Rear walk-in device | — | std |
Interior34 differ · 35 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch TFT LCD supervision meter cluster | — | std |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror and HomeLink® universal transceiver | opt | — |
| 2nd-row (behind 1st-row Passenger Seat) shopping hook | — | std |
| 2nd-row puddle lamps | — | std |
| 2nd-row side seat armrests | — | std |
| 2nd-row sliding doors | — | std |
| 3rd-row center armrest with cupholders | — | std |
| 7-in. Multi-Information Display (MID) with odometer, fuel economy, trip information, and warning messages | std | — |
| Cargo lamp | — | std |
| Coat hooks (x2) | — | std |
| Door pocket bottle holder | — | std |
| Door scuff plates | — | std |
| Fixed center console, pass-through, illuminated storage compartment, and four cup holders | std | — |
| Floor console with center armrest, cupholders, storage and power outlet | — | std |
| Front door courtesy reflector | — | std |
| Front- and rear-door map pockets with bottle holders | std | — |
| Lockable glove compartment | std | — |
| Manual second-row sunshades | std | — |
| Map lamp | — | std |
| Matte silver inside door handles | — | std |
| Matte silver sliding inside door handle | — | std |
| Metal paint crashpad garnish | — | std |
| Metal paint door garnish | — | std |
| Non-glare rearview mirror | std | — |
| Overhead console with maplights and dome lights, side-door controls and Safety Connect® | std | — |
| Polyurethane wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob | — | std |
| Room lamp | — | std |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column | — | std |
| Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) controls | std | — |
| Up to 18 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| Day/night interior rear view mirror | — | std |
| Carpet Floor Mats | — | opt |
| Trip computer | — | std |
| Rheostat | — | std |
| Illuminated sunvisor with extendable visor vanity mirrors | std | std |
Exterior41 differ · 45 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade | opt | — |
| 17-in. alloy wheels | std | — |
| 17-inch Alloy wheels | — | std |
| Acoustic glass (windshield) | — | std |
| Black DLO surround molding | — | std |
| Black grille | std | — |
| Black rear lower bumper | std | — |
| Black roof rails | opt | — |
| Black roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | std | — |
| Black side sill garnish | — | std |
| Black Sienna liftgate logo | std | — |
| Black-painted & Matte chrome radiator grille (vertical design pattern) | — | std |
| Body-color outside mirrors | — | std |
| Chrome Toyota emblem and grade badge | std | — |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with blind spot warning indicators | std | — |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | std | — |
| Electric adjustable outside mirrors | — | std |
| Folding outside mirrors | — | std |
| Half chrome coating outside door handles | — | std |
| Heated tailgate glass | — | std |
| Intermittent rear window wiper | std | — |
| LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with auto on/off feature | std | — |
| LED Multi-Focus Reflector headlights (MFR) | — | std |
| LED rear combination lamps | std | — |
| Matte Chrome trim on Radiator Grille | — | std |
| Rear combination lamps | — | std |
| Rear spoiler | — | std |
| Shark fin antenna | — | std |
| Silver-painted C-Pillar garnish | — | std |
| Silver-painted tailgate garnish | — | std |
| Single exhaust with black finish | — | std |
| Solar glass (windshield) | — | std |
| Tinted glass (Delta Fixed) | — | std |
| Tinted glass (Front Doors) | — | std |
| Tire Mobility Kit | — | opt |
| Tire repair kit | std | — |
| Variable intermittent windshield wipers (conventional) | — | std |
| Variable windshield wipers | std | — |
| Auto light control | — | std |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| Temporary Spare Tire (steel) | — | std |
| Heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals | std | std |
| LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) | std | std |
| Privacy glass (2nd-row Sliding Door, Tailgate, Quarter Fixed Glass, Rear Door, Backlite) | std | std |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp | std | std |
Powertrain4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | — |
| 3.5L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 6-cylinder engine | — | std |
| 8-speed automatic transmission with H-Matic Shifting | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select | — | std |
Chassis4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Column Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | — | std |
| Gas shock absorber | — | std |
| MacPherson strut and stabilizer bar front suspension | — | std |
| Multi-link rear suspension | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Towing Trailer Hitch | — | opt |
| Cargo net hook | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota Sienna
Safety Signal 68 D
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 6
Owner complaints 268 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Seats (213), Unspecified (29), Visibility/Wiper (18)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V690000 · 228,367 vehicles
- high Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 25V877000 · 1,019 vehicles
- high Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 25V876000 · 86 vehicles
- high Seats 25V668000 · 54,631 vehicles
- high Seats 25V086000 · 167,802 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
Kia Carnival
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / — / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 197 · 3 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (109), Engine (36), Unspecified (29)
Top recalls
- high Fuel System, Gasoline 26V232000 · 141,032 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota SiennaLE FWD | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,185 (base trim) | $36,800 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $39,185 – $56,905 12 trims | $36,800 – $52,900 9 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Sienna 2WD | Carnival Hybrid |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 33 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850 | $2,050 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | 2 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Toyota Sienna or the 2025 Kia Carnival?
The Kia Carnival wins clearly, 96.6 to 79.6, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Toyota Sienna is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Carnival scores 96.6 and the 2025 Toyota Sienna 79.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Toyota Sienna or the 2025 Kia Carnival?
The 2025 Kia Carnival starts lower — $36,800 against $39,185, a gap of $2,385 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Toyota Sienna or the 2025 Kia Carnival?
2025 Toyota Sienna: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 6 recalls. 2025 Kia Carnival: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Toyota Sienna and the 2025 Kia Carnival?
Where the 2025 Kia Carnival wins: it lists 35 standard driver-assist features against 19, lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 29 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and has drawn fewer owner complaints (197 against 268 filed with NHTSA). Where the 2025 Toyota Sienna answers: it costs $200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,050) and seats 8 against 7.