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Kia Carnival vs Toyota Sienna

2026 Kia Carnival vs 2026 Toyota Sienna — two minivans compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Kia Carnival

2026 Kia Carnival

Minivan - 2WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4Toyota Sienna wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Sienna

2026 Toyota Sienna

Minivan - 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Sienna is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 32 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $250 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Sienna (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Kia Carnival has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Kia Carnival is a minivan offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 203 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,852 lb (HEV Minivan).

The 2026 Toyota Sienna is a minivan offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 204 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,740 lb (Minivan AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 Carnival and the 2020 Sienna have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2022 Carnival and the 2015 Sienna.

Basics

Minivan - 2WD
Class
Minivan - 2WD
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

32 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
34 city
City / highway MPG (best)
36 city
$2,100
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,850

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
189 hp
–
Seats (most)
7
203.1 in
Length
203.5 in
78.3 in
Width
78.3 in
68.5 in
Height
69.7 in
4,630 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,621 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
12
2
Recalls (2026)
1
7
Recalls, all years since 2005
50
55
Owner complaints (latest year)
18

Interest

14,603
Wikipedia views, 30 days
14,899

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2020
2022
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Kia Carnival if…

  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Sienna if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 32 MPG)
  • You need AWD or 4WD

Pros & cons of each

2026 Kia Carnival

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 21% better than the average 2026 minivan (26.4 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Sienna

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 36% better than the average 2026 minivan (26.4 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Modest powerUp to 189 hp, versus about 287 hp for similar 2026 models.

Full 2026 Kia Carnival specs →Full 2026 Toyota Sienna specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →