Paint 1 of 8

Render shows the 2025 model

2026 Kia Carnival SX

Minivan · 242–287 hp · 21–33 mpg combined

Sticker from

$46,490Factory MSRP, base configuration

Dealers ask

$47,663Median across 909 listings

Above sticker

$1,173The median, minus the MSRP

Overview.

At a glance

242–287 hp21–33 mpg combinedFWD

Good

8-passenger seating
40.2 cu ft cargo
3,500-lb max towing
Heated and ventilated front seats
Dual power glass moonroofs

Watch for

Front-wheel drive only
Tow hitch costs $750

The 2026 Kia Carnival SX is an 8-seat minivan offered with gas and hybrid power.

The gas model has an MSRP of $46,490, while the hybrid has an MSRP of $48,090. Both use front-wheel drive.

The 3.5L 6-cylinder gas engine produces 287 hp and uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. It returns an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined and has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The 1.6L turbo gas/electric hybrid produces 242 hp through a 6-speed automatic and returns an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined.

The cabin provides 40.2 cu ft of cargo space, split-folding rear seats and manual folding split-bench third-row seats. Standard equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, three-zone climate control, dual power glass moonroofs, a 12.3-inch infotainment display and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Driver-assistance features include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, front and rear cross traffic alert, parking sensors with side sensing, and front, side and rear-view cameras. The 2026 model year has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Drafted with AI from this page’s data and checked against it. Highlights mark the phrases worth skimming.

Market

Dealers are asking $1,173 over sticker.

That is the median across 909 listings for this exact trim. The typical one has sat for 128 days.

Sticker$46,490

Dealers ask$47,663

909 listings128 days median on the lot

Own one? That is the asking price on other people's. Yours is a different number.

Track what yours is worthA fresh estimate every month, in one short email. Not an offer to buy.Start tracking

14 factory options, from $45 to $1,000.

SX Dark Edition Package$1,000

Tow Hitch$750

Cross Bars$400

Auto-Dimming Mirror w/HomeLink$400

Illuminated Rear Cargo Panel$395

All Weather Floor Mats, 8-Passenger$315

Carpeted Floor Mats, 8-Passenger$285

Mud Guards$160

Cargo Tray$130

Cargo Mat$120

Wheel Locks$80

Roadside Assistance Kit$75

Cargo Net$65

First Aid Kit, Small$45

Which Carnival is right for you?

Five trims, $37,390 to $51,490. Tap one to open it.

$37,390−$9,100LX287 hp $39,390−$7,100LXS287 hp $41,590−$4,900EX287 hp $46,490This trimSX242 hp $51,490+$5,000SX Prestige287 hp

Bar heights follow the price. The widest step is $5,000, from SX to SX Prestige.

The numbers.

Two configurations: front-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic or 6-speed automatic.

242–287hp3.5L six-cylinder / 1.6L four-cylinder turbo hybrid

260–271lb-ftTorque

21–33mpgCombined · 18–34 city · 25–31 highway

FWD8-speed shiftable automatic / 6-speed automatic

8Seats

40.2 cu ftCargo volume

4,810–4,852 lbsCurb weight

6,283–6,504 lbsGVWR

3,500 lbsMax towing

137 standard items.

Five groups, sized by how much is in each.

6 interiors

Tuscan Umber/Off-Black
Off-Black/Taupe
Deep Navy/Misty Gray
Off-Black/Tuscan Umber
Deep Navy/Misty Gray
Off-Black

Leatherette or leather.

7 factory paints

Astra Blue
Snow White Pearl
Panthera Metal
Aurora Black Pearl
Flare Red
Ceramic Silver
Ivory Silver

Safety and recalls

2 recall campaigns on file.

Recalls are settled per car, not per model. Check the one you are buying.

Check this car's historyEnter the VIN, tap one insurance quote, and the report unlocks.Check a VIN

Overall—Not rated

Frontal—Not rated

Side—Not rated

Rollover—Not rated

NHTSA has not published ratings for the 2026 Carnival. A model year is often unrated for a year or more after it goes on sale.

NHTSA NCAP · checked Oct 2026

Factory coverage.

It runs from the first sale date, not the model year.

Basic

5 yr / 60,000 mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100,000 mi

Rust

5 yr / 100,000 mi

Roadside

5 yr / 60,000 mi

Sold2 yr4 yr6 yr8 yr10 yr

See extended plan pricesLive prices for this car. They depend on its age and mileage.See prices

What would this Carnival cost to insure?

Advertiser disclosure: we may earn a commission when you get a quote or buy through links on this page. Rates depend on the driver, the car and the ZIP.