Kia Carnival vs Toyota Sienna

The 2024 and 2025 Kia Carnival are easily challenging the 2024 Toyota Sienna, despite its hybrid only powertrain.

 What are the four most important things parents should know?

1. Hybrid Powertrain vs Gas Engine

   The 2024 Kia Carnival has a Lambda III V6 that delivers 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of horsepower. Drivers find it competitive in busy traffic. This engine continues for the 2025 model year.

   In comparison, the 2024 Toyota Sienna is offered with a standard hybrid powertrain. This inline-four cylinder hybrid engine produces 245 horsepower. Critics have criticized it for its noisy operation, although they like its fuel economy.  

   Rolling in to challenge the Sienna, the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid has a turbo-hybrid powertrain that delivers 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This high rate of torque is accomplished with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a front-mounted electric motor. The six-speed automatic helps this hybrid Carnival drive as smoothly as the gas-powered Kia minivan.  

   With the introduction of this Kia hybrid powertrain, the Carnival eliminates any concerns about efficiency. Parents can choose the Carnival to please the daily driver or the Carnival Hybrid to please a tight budget.  
   

2. Size and Spaciousness

   Which minivan is bigger? This is a logical question for families who need a lot of room to spread out. After all, kids get bigger every day.

   Siennas seat up to 8 people in cabins with 162.5 cubic feet of passenger volume. Carnivals and Carnival Hybrids seat the same number of people in a cabin with 168.2 cubic feet of passenger wiggle room.  

   2024 and 2025 Kia Carnivals offer 40.2 cubic feet in the hold. 2024 Toyota Siennas offer 33.5 cubic feet in the hold. Comparing either one to 3 row SUVs, you’ve got a bargain. However, the Carnival is the better choice of the two.  

   The difference continues when you fold the seats. Both vehicles let you fold the seats into the floor in most models. With the seats down, Siennas have 101 cubic feet while Carnivals manage to provide 145.1 cubic feet. 

   To spell it out, the Sienna is big, but the Carnival is bigger. In fact, Kia minivans have an especially big advantage when it comes to cargo space.  

3. Second and Third Row Comparison

   Both models offer a 3-person bench or center captain’s chairs. Carnivals go a bit further in giving these passengers special treatment. The VIP Lounge Chairs have special relaxation modes with a leg rest extension. It’s like you’ve brought your den recliners along for the ride.

   Carnival 3rd row legroom is 38.6 inches while Siennas are claiming 38.7 inches. Meanwhile 2nd row legroom is also nearly a tie with 39.5 inches in the Sienna and up to 40.5 inches in the Carnival.  

   With either brand of minivan, you get automatic climate controls and rear air conditioning vents. USB ports are found on every row. Both offer sunshades for the second row passengers, and an available WiFI system to allow everyone to connect on their smart devices.  

   Only Carnivals offer what Kelley Blue Book is calling a hidden gem. For 2025, the seatbelt buckles have a tiny light to make sure they can be identified even on the darkest night. Plus only Kia provides a quiet mode on the audio system to help silence rear stereo speakers when the kids are sleeping.  

   Plus the 2025 Carnival Hybrid adds an available dual-screen entertainment system. It has streaming and mirroring capability along with Bluetooth hands-free and HDMI hook-up.  

   To summarize, Siennas offer pleasant 2nd and 3rd row experiences, but Carnivals offer more ways to keep kids and parents connected, comfortable and entertained.  

4. Price and Warranty

   The 2024 Kia Carnival price undercuts the 2024 Toyota Sienna price by quite a bit. This is a gamechanger for some shoppers. It’s especially helpful to start off saving, since you can then climb the trim ladder to a favorite Carnival trim.

   In fact, Kia hybrid efficiency will be offered at a very similar price to the entry level Sienna. This makes it even easier for minivan shoppers to choose the Carnival.  

   Kia Carnivals come with the 60 month/60,000 mile limited warranty and a ten year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Sienna has a much shorter 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty. Hybrid warranties cover Toyota systems for 96 months/100,000 miles and hybrid batteries for 120 months/100,000 miles.  

   With all of this going for the Kia minivan, Carnivals offer competitive ownership experiences that offer more peace of mind.  

5. Value Packaging

   To understand the value of the Carnival, it helps to understand that the Sienna entry level price and the Carnival 3rd-tier EX price are very similar. At this level, the Sienna has an 8-inch touchscreen while the Carnival’s 8-inch screen is updated to the full 12.3-inch touchscreen and navigation.

   As for helpful features, they both have a power liftgate and side window shades. However, the Carnival EX has an interior camera and intercom system. Parents will have to choose a higher Sienna trim to become eligible for those handy devices.  

   Comparing the Carnival EX to the Sienna, you’ll find all of the driver assistance you expect. This includes systems to help you avoid forward collisions, lane departure mistakes, blind spot errors, and more.  

   If you go basic, the Carnival has a price edge over the Sienna. If you go for the sweet spot, the Carnival EX will give you more for about the same amount of money as the basic Sienna.  

Conclusion

The 2024 Toyota Sienna is a good minivan. However, the 2024 and 2025 Kia Carnivals can match it in every way and exceed it in others.

With its SUV-like good looks, the Carnival packs the most curb appeal, for sure. Schedule a test drive at your Phoenix Kia dealer, Earnhardt Peoria Kia.