Head-to-head
2026 Kia Carnival vs 2026 Toyota Sienna
The Kia Carnival wins clearly, 92.8 to 85.3, on tech & comfort, performance, price. The Toyota Sienna is ahead on safety and fuel & range.
B
2026 Kia Carnival
The 2026 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
A2026 Toyota Sienna
The 2026 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
2026 Kia Carnival
Clear winThe Kia Carnival wins clearly, 92.8 to 85.3, on tech & comfort, performance, price. The Toyota Sienna is ahead on safety and fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2026 Kia Carnival leads by 36.1
Performance 2026 Kia Carnival leads by 33.9
Safety 2026 Toyota Sienna leads by 10.3
| Category · weight | 2026 Kia Carnivaloverall 92.8 | 2026 Toyota Siennaoverall 85.3 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 92.5 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 88.4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 79.9 | 90.2 | ||||||||||||
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 | 93.2 | 89.9 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 66.1 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 63.9 | ||||||||||||
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 | 92.8 | 85.3 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Kia Carnival: base trim LX FWD · Toyota Sienna: base trim LE 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 2026 Kia Carnival wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 31 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 36 standard driver-assist features against 27.
- It carries 126 hp per ton against 82.
Where the 2026 Toyota Sienna answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (18 against 55 filed with NHTSA).
- It costs $250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,100).
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
55 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $37,390 | $40,420 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,470 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 3.5-liter V6 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Lambda III Engine | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S Injection |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 287 hp | 189 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 18 mpg | 36 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 21 mpg | 36 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | 36 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.510:1 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) with sequential shift mode |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 6.8 in | 6.3 in |
| Overall height | 68.5 in | 68.5 in |
| Overall length | 203 in | 204 in |
| Overall width | 78.5 in | 78.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 122 in | 121 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 145 cu-ft | 101 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 75.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 40.2 cu-ft | 33.5 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 196 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.9 in | 40.1 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.5 in | 39.3 in |
| Third-row headroom | 38.6 in | 37.4 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.1 in | 40.3 in |
| Second-row legroom | 40.5 in | 39.9 in |
| Third-row legroom | 35.6 in | 38.7 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 4,610 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,555 lbs | 4,610 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,283 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson strut | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Column-Mounted Electric Power steering | Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 38.3 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 325 mm | 328 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 325 mm | 318 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | ventilated 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 | 19 gal | 18 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Toyota Safety Connect / Drive Connect / Service Connect / Remote Connect / Wi-Fi Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 64.2 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 63.2 in | 62.7 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 59.5 in | 58.5 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
176 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 48 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) - Car / Pedestrian / Cyclist (Fusion-type with Sensor) | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS 2.0)—Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | — |
| Four LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) locations: includes lower anchors on outboard second-row seats, and passenger-side and center third-row seats | std | — |
| Parking Distance Warning - Forward and Reverse (PDW-F/R) | std | — |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R) | std | — |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | std | — |
| Ten airbags—includes driver, front passenger and second-row outboard seat-mounted side airbags | — | std |
| 1st-row side airbags | std | — |
| 3-point seat belts | std | — |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts | — | std |
| Adjustable seatbelt anchors on front and outboard second-row seats and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | — | 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 passenger seat-cushion airbag | — | 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 | — |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA) | std | — |
| Impact sensing door unlock | std | — |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | std | — |
| Parking Distance Warning - Forward and Reverse (PDW-F/R) | std | — |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) with Ultrasonic Sensor | std | — |
| Speed sensing door lock | std | — |
| Star Safety System™—includes Traction Control (TRAC) | — | std |
| Ten airbags—includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver, front passenger and second-row outboard seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat-cushion airbag, side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ (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 | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS 2.0)—Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) | std | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | std | std |
| Integrated backup camera | std | std |
| Ten airbags—includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System | std | std |
| Ten airbags—includes driver, front passenger and second-row outboard seat-mounted side airbags | std | std |
| Ten airbags—includes side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS 2.0)—Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) | std | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | std | std |
| Four-wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD) | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™—includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) | std | std |
| Ten airbags—includes driver knee airbag | std | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS 2.0)—Automatic High Beams (AHB) | std | std |
| Anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | std | std |
Infotainment16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Connect®—includes Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, eight speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription | — | std |
| Bluetooth Hands-free with Voice Recognition | std | — |
| 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition and integrated modem (AVN 5.0) | 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 | — | std |
| Drive Connect—includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist | — | std |
| Floor console media port with 2 USB ports | std | — |
| One USB media port and six USB charge ports | — | std |
| Qi-compatible wireless charging | — | std |
| Remote Connect—remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | — | std |
| Safety Connect®—includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| Service Connect—receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports | — | std |
| Steering wheel mounted audio controls | std | — |
| Wi-Fi Connect—includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Apple Music® and Amazon Music) compatibility | std | std |
Convenience13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on five doors with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry | std | — |
| 2nd-row sliding doors | 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 liftgate with jam protection | — | std |
| Power windows (front and rear) | std | — |
| Power windows with driver's one-touch auto-up/down and safety | std | — |
| Power windows with one-touch auto up/down, jam protection in all positions | — | std |
| Smart power sliding rear doors (hands-free) | std | — |
Climate0 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE 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 | std |
Seating10 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 2nd-row removable seats (Excluding VIP 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 |
| Fabric-trimmed 60/40 One-Motion-Stow Split & Stow 3rd Row® seat | — | std |
| Height adjustable driver's seat | std | — |
| Rear walk-in device | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat | std | std |
Interior33 differ · 34 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch TFT LCD supervision meter cluster | std | — |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror | — | std |
| 2nd-row (behind 1st-row Passenger Seat) shopping hook | std | — |
| 2nd-row puddle lamps | std | — |
| 2nd-row side seat armrests | 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- and third-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 | — |
| Overhead console with maplights and dome lights, side-door controls and Safety Connect® | — | std |
| Passenger Capacity | — | 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, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command, Full-Speed Range 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 | — |
| Dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors | std | std |
Exterior38 differ · 41 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Body-color outside mirrors | 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 taillights and stop lights | — | std |
| Privacy glass (2nd-row Sliding Door, Tailgate, Quarter Fixed Glass, Rear Door, Backlite) | std | — |
| Privacy glass on rear windows | — | std |
| Rear combination lamps | std | — |
| Rear spoiler | std | — |
| Shark fin antenna | std | — |
| Silver Paint trim on Radiator Grille | 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 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 power outside mirrors | std | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with auto on/off feature | std | std |
| Color-keyed rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | std | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE 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 | — |
| Column Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select | std | — |
| Hybrid System Net Horsepower: 245 combined net horsepower | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Gas shock absorber | std | — |
| MacPherson strut and stabilizer bar front suspension | std | — |
| Multi-link rear suspension | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE 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, NCAPKia Carnival
Safety Signal 89 B
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / — / ★★★★☆
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 55 · 3 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (21), Unspecified (19), Power Train (14)
Top recalls
- high Fuel System, Gasoline 26V232000 · 141,032 vehicles
- minor Electrical System 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
Toyota Sienna
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 18 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Visibility/Wiper (7), Structure (4), Seats (4)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V690000 · 228,367 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Kia CarnivalLX FWD | Toyota SiennaLE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $37,390 (base trim) | $40,420 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $37,390 – $53,490 9 trims | $40,420 – $57,810 10 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Carnival Hybrid | Sienna 2WD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 32 | 36 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,100 | $1,850 |
| 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 2026 Kia Carnival or the 2026 Toyota Sienna?
The Kia Carnival wins clearly, 92.8 to 85.3, on tech & comfort, performance, price. The Toyota Sienna is ahead on safety and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Kia Carnival scores 92.8 and the 2026 Toyota Sienna 85.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Kia Carnival or the 2026 Toyota Sienna?
The 2026 Kia Carnival starts lower — $37,390 against $40,420, a gap of $3,030 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Kia Carnival or the 2026 Toyota Sienna?
2026 Kia Carnival: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 2 recalls. 2026 Toyota Sienna: 5 NHTSA stars, 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 2026 Kia Carnival and the 2026 Toyota Sienna?
Where the 2026 Kia Carnival wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 31 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), lists 36 standard driver-assist features against 27, and carries 126 hp per ton against 82. Where the 2026 Toyota Sienna answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (18 against 55 filed with NHTSA) and costs $250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,100).