Kia Carnival
6 model years from 2022 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2022–2027
- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Latest engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Best MPG
- 22–33 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2024)
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2025 (196)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 14,603 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Carnival in brief
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).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (34 city / 31 highway), 21% better than the 2026 minivan average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The Kia Carnival has 6 model years in our data, from 2022 to 2027.
Its most efficient year was 2027 at 33 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 33 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (170), unknown or other (131), engine (72).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2022 is the year to avoid.
2022 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 7 campaigns and 514 owner complaints.
How the 2022 Carnival compares
The 2022 Kia Carnival is a minivan offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine 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 4,495 lb.
About the Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival is a minivan manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia since 1998, formerly marketed as the Kia Sedona in North America and several other markets.
From the Wikipedia article "Kia Carnival", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Carnival pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- 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.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 Carnival
75 owner complaints · 2 recalls · 2 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2022 Carnival
136 owner complaints · 6 recalls · 4 crash reports
Most reported: Unknown Or Other
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 3 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Carnival changes by model year
- 2025
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 33
- 2024
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 6 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl | 33 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl | 32 MPG | 203.1 in | 4,852 lb | Not rated | 2 | 55 |
| 2025 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl | 33 MPG | 203.1 in | 4,852 lb | Not rated | 1 | 196 |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 203.1 in | 4,495 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 75 |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 202.8 in | 4,495 lb | Not rated | 4 | 52 |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 202.8 in | 4,495 lb | Not rated | 6 | 136 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Carnival
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Sienna | 36 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Odyssey | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Chrysler Voyager | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Chrysler Pacifica | 30 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →



