Kia carnival
2027 Kia Carnival Research Hub

Your Guide to the 2027 Kia Carnival Lineup

Nine configurations, gas V-6 or hybrid, from the LX to SX Prestige — compare specs and find your trim.

$37,490
Starting MSRP
21–33mpg
Combined MPG
242–287hp
Horsepower
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
145.1cu ft
Cargo volume
7–8
Seating
Review: 2027 Kia Carnival
By Marcus Whitfield

Nine configurations, gas V-6 or hybrid, from the LX to SX Prestige — compare specs and find your trim.

The 2027 Carnival splits into two distinct powertrains. Gas trims (LX through SX Prestige) use a 3.5L V-6 making 287 hp and 260 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic, rated 18/26/21 mpg. Hybrid trims (LXS Hybrid through SX Prestige Hybrid) pair a 1.6L turbo four with an electric motor for 242 hp, 270 lb-ft, and 33 mpg combined via a 6-speed automatic.

Cargo volume holds steady at 145.1 cu ft regardless of trim, and every configuration runs front-wheel drive. Seating varies: LX seats seven, all other trims seat eight. Pricing spans $37,490 for the base LX to $53,590 for the SX Prestige Hybrid, giving buyers a clear efficiency-versus-power trade-off within one nameplate.

The verdict

Highs, lows & bottom line

Highs

  • Hybrid trims combine strong output with efficient city/highway mileage
  • V-6 gas trims deliver notably higher horsepower for towing/passing
  • Identical cargo volume across every trim regardless of powertrain

Lows

  • Gas V-6 trims trail hybrid variants badly on fuel economy
  • Base LX seats one fewer than every other configuration
  • SX Prestige trims command a steep premium over base models

Bottom line

The Carnival splits into two distinct personalities: efficient hybrid trims built for daily mileage and torquier V-6 trims built for stronger straight-line output, with cargo space staying constant no matter which route you choose.

Pick your trim

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Use the verdict above to narrow the lineup, then weigh the trims side by side.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The V-6 gas Carnival is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway), while the Hybrid trims rate 33 mpg combined (34 city/32 highway). Both share a 19-gallon tank, so the Hybrid stretches each fill-up considerably farther without a precise range figure being published.

Every 2027 Carnival configuration, gas or Hybrid, shares 145.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume behind the first row. That figure doesn't change by trim since it's a lineup-wide spec tied to the shared body structure.

Unlike the Sienna, which is hybrid-only, the Carnival offers a choice between a 287-hp 3.5L V-6 (21 mpg combined) and a 242-hp 1.6L turbo hybrid (33 mpg combined). The Santa Fe is a compact SUV rather than a minivan and can't match the Carnival's 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room or up to 8-passenger seating, and Voyager competes on price but not on the Carnival's hybrid option or SX Prestige-level equipment.

Seating capacity depends on trim: the LX seats 7, while the LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige, and all four Hybrid trims seat 8. Check the specific trim's configuration before assuming maximum capacity.

Gas trims (LX through SX Prestige) run a 3.5L V-6 making 287 hp and 260 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic with H-Matic shift. Hybrid trims use a 1.6L turbo gas-electric four-cylinder producing 242 hp and 270 lb-ft paired with a 6-speed automatic.

Gas trims span from the LX at $37,490 MSRP up to the SX Prestige at $51,590. Hybrid trims run higher, starting at $41,490 for the LXS Hybrid and topping out at $53,590 for the SX Prestige Hybrid.
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