carnival FAQ

Our buyer's guide rates it: Buy.

The 2027 Carnival gives you a genuine choice: a 287-hp V-6 for towing and price, or a 242-hp hybrid that trades some power for a jump to 33 mpg combined, all wrapped in an 8-passenger (7 on LX) cabin with 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room.

The carnival ranges from $37,490 (LX) to $53,590 (SX Prestige Hybrid) across 9 trims.

The carnival ranges from $37,490 (LX) to $53,590 (SX Prestige Hybrid) across 9 trims. Prices are starting MSRP and exclude taxes and fees.

The SX Prestige Hybrid costs $5,000 more than the SX Hybrid ($53,590 vs.

The SX Prestige Hybrid costs $5,000 more than the SX Hybrid ($53,590 vs. $48,590) with identical powertrain and efficiency figures — the premium buys features and content, not performance or fuel economy. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on which specific features the Prestige adds for your use case, so compare the equipment lists carefully before committing.

The carnival comes in 9 trims: LX, LXS, LXS Hybrid, EX, EX Hybrid, SX, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige, SX Prestige Hybrid.

The carnival is offered in 9 trims (LX, LXS, LXS Hybrid, EX, EX Hybrid, SX, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige, SX Prestige Hybrid). Higher trims layer on equipment and features; see the trim comparison for exactly what each one adds.

The LXS at $39,490 is the sweet spot for most buyers — it adds the eighth seat that the LX lacks and costs $2,000 less than the EX while sharing the same V-6 powertrain.

The LXS at $39,490 is the sweet spot for most buyers — it adds the eighth seat that the LX lacks and costs $2,000 less than the EX while sharing the same V-6 powertrain. If fuel costs matter more than features, the LXS Hybrid at $41,490 is only $2,000 more than the LXS and delivers 33 mpg combined versus 21 mpg, a gap that pays back quickly for high-mileage families.

Almost every trim seats 8, but the base LX is the exception at 7 passengers.

Almost every trim seats 8, but the base LX is the exception at 7 passengers. If a full eight-seat configuration is important, step up to the LXS or any trim above it.

No — every Carnival configuration is front-wheel drive only, across both gasoline and hybrid powertrains.

17-inch wheels is available on the LX, LXS, LXS Hybrid.

The diameter of the wheels fitted to the car. Larger wheels change the stance; smaller wheels tend to ride more comfortably. 17-inch wheels is available on the LX, LXS, LXS Hybrid.

19-inch wheels is available on the EX, EX Hybrid, SX, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige, SX Prestige Hybrid.

The diameter of the wheels fitted to the car. Larger wheels change the stance; smaller wheels tend to ride more comfortably. 19-inch wheels is available on the EX, EX Hybrid, SX, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige, SX Prestige Hybrid.

242 horsepower is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

Peak power the engine — or, on a hybrid, the combined system — can produce. More horsepower generally means easier merging, passing, and confident acceleration. 242 horsepower is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

287 horsepower is available on the LX, LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige.

Peak power the engine — or, on a hybrid, the combined system — can produce. More horsepower generally means easier merging, passing, and confident acceleration. 287 horsepower is available on the LX, LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige.

6-Speed Automatic is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

How the engine's power is geared and delivered to the wheels. It shapes how the car responds when you accelerate and how it settles at a cruise. 6-Speed Automatic is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

Yes — a hybrid-electric powertrain is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

Pairs a gasoline engine with electric motors and a battery that recharges as you drive — no plugging in. Hybrids typically use noticeably less fuel than a comparable gas-only engine, especially in city driving.

Gasoline trims (LX through SX Prestige) use a 3.

Gasoline trims (LX through SX Prestige) use a 3.5L V-6 with 287 hp and an 8-speed automatic, returning 21 mpg combined. Hybrid trims (LXS Hybrid through SX Prestige Hybrid) swap in a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder paired with an electric motor for 242 hp but a much more efficient 33 mpg combined — a 57% improvement in city driving alone. If you do a lot of stop-and-go miles, the hybrid's 34 mpg city rating is where the fuel savings really add up.

The hybrid's turbocharged 1.

The hybrid's turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder produces 242 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, while the V-6 makes 287 hp but only 260 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid actually has more torque, which is what you feel most in everyday acceleration, so it won't feel sluggish despite the smaller displacement.

Hybrid-Electric Powertrain is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

Pairs a gasoline engine with electric motors and a battery that recharges as you drive — no plugging in. Hybrids typically use noticeably less fuel than a comparable gas-only engine, especially in city driving. Hybrid-Electric Powertrain is available on the LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid.

Yes — 168.2 cu-ft passenger volume is standard on every carnival trim.

The total interior space measured for passengers. More passenger volume means more room to stretch out, front and back. Yes — 168.2 cu-ft passenger volume is standard on every carnival trim.

Seating for 7 is available on the LX.

How many occupants the cabin is designed to seat. It determines whether the whole family or carpool rides comfortably. Seating for 7 is available on the LX.

Seating for 8 is available on the LXS, LXS Hybrid, EX, EX Hybrid, SX, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige, SX Prestige Hybrid.

How many occupants the cabin is designed to seat. It determines whether the whole family or carpool rides comfortably. Seating for 8 is available on the LXS, LXS Hybrid, EX, EX Hybrid, SX, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige, SX Prestige Hybrid.

Every trim in the lineup offers 145.

Every trim in the lineup offers 145.1 cu ft of total cargo volume, which is consistent whether you choose a gasoline or hybrid model.

Yes — 145.1 cu-ft of cargo space is standard on every carnival trim.

How much the trunk holds with the rear seats up. It sets how much luggage, gear, or groceries you can carry. Yes — 145.1 cu-ft of cargo space is standard on every carnival trim.

There are 2 recall campaigns on record for the carnival.

There are 2 recall campaigns on record for the carnival. Recall data comes from NHTSA; check the recall center for the latest campaigns and remedies.

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