The Short Version
- A minivan with SUV styling. Kia calls the Carnival an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle). It has hands-free power sliding rear doors on every trim.
- Five gas trims from $37,490 (LX) to $51,590 (SX Prestige). Every Carnival is front-wheel drive.
- 3.5L V6 with 287 hp, an 8-speed automatic, 21 mpg combined and 3,500 lbs of towing.
- New for 2027: captain's chairs are now available on the EX and SX, the Dark Edition package expands to the EX and the highway rating rises to 26 mpg.
- Carnival Hybrid: 242 hp and 33 mpg combined, from $41,490. See the Carnival Hybrid page.
2027 Carnival Price by Trim
| Trim | MSRP | Seats | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $37,490 | 7 (captain's chairs) | Hands-free power sliding doors, 12.3-in. navigation touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, tri-zone climate |
| LXS | $39,490 | 8 (Slide-Flex bench) | Heated front seats, 8-way power driver's seat, SynTex seats |
| EX | $41,690 | 8; 7 available | 19-in. wheels, smart power liftgate, Passenger View camera, Passenger Talk intercom, driver memory, 2nd- and 3rd-row sunshades |
| SX | $46,590 | 8; 7 available | Dual sunroofs, dual 12.3-in. displays, Surround View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist 2, ventilated front seats, Digital Key 2.0 |
| SX Prestige | $51,590 | 8; 7 with VIP lounge seats | Leather, Bose audio, heated steering wheel, head-up display, Dark Edition styling; optional reclining VIP lounge seats |
MSRP from Kia as of October 2026, excluding the $1,545 destination charge, tax, title, fees and options. Emich Kia's prices may differ; see inventory for current pricing. A port-installed tow hitch is $750.
Seven or Eight Seats?
- LX: seven seats with second-row captain's chairs standard.
- LXS: eight seats with Kia's Slide-Flex second-row bench.
- EX and SX: eight seats standard, with seven-seat captain's chairs now available for 2027.
- SX Prestige: eight seats standard, or seven with the SX Prestige Seat Package's VIP lounge seats: power recline, leg rests, heating and ventilation.
- Third row: 35.6 in. of legroom, more than most three-row SUVs. Compare every Kia with captain chairs.
Which Carnival Trim Fits You?
Best value: LX
$37,490. Captain's chairs, power sliding doors, Highway Driving Assist and a 12.3-in. navigation screen are all standard.
Eight seats for less: LXS
$39,490. The Slide-Flex bench, heated front seats and a power driver's seat.
Family favorite: EX
$41,690. A power liftgate, the Passenger View camera to watch the back rows and the Passenger Talk intercom.
Road-trip comfort: SX Prestige
$51,590. Leather, Bose audio, a head-up display and optional reclining VIP lounge seats.
2027 Carnival Specs
| Spec | 2027 Carnival |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V6, 287 hp / 260 lb-ft, 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (all trims) |
| EPA mpg (city / hwy / combined) | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| Max towing | 3,500 lbs with trailer brakes |
| Legroom, rows 1 / 2 / 3 | 41.1 / 40.5 / 35.6 in. |
| Cargo behind 3rd row / max | 40.2 / 145.1 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 6.8 in. |
| Length / wheelbase / width | 203.0 / 121.7 / 78.5 in. |
| Fuel tank | 19.0 gal, regular fuel |
Kia specifications as of October 2026. EPA estimates; actual mileage varies. Kia rates the Carnival best in class for passenger volume and cargo space behind the first row among 2026 and 2027 midsize MPVs (Kia segmentation, March 2026).
Gas or Hybrid?
| Carnival (V6) | Carnival Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $37,490 (LX) | $41,490 (LXS) |
| Power | 287 hp / 260 lb-ft | 242 hp / 271 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21 mpg | 33 mpg (34 city / 32 hwy) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lbs | 2,500 lbs |
| Trims | LX, LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige | LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige |
| Rear-seat entertainment | – | Available on SX Prestige |
Kia specifications as of October 2026. EPA estimates; actual results vary.
The hybrid costs $2,000 more on the LXS, EX, SX and SX Prestige and uses about a third less fuel. The V6 tows 1,000 lbs more. See the Carnival Hybrid page for details.
The Carnival in Colorado
- Front-wheel drive only. There's no AWD Carnival, so a good set of winter tires makes the biggest difference on snowy Denver streets. If you need AWD with three rows, look at the Sorento or Telluride.
- V6 at altitude: the 287-hp V6 isn't turbocharged, so it gives up some power on I-70 climbs, but it has plenty in reserve for a loaded van.
- Towing: 3,500 lbs with trailer brakes covers a small camper or a utility trailer full of gear. See the Kia towing guide.
- Ground clearance is 6.8 in., typical for a minivan. Fine for paved trailhead lots, not for rough forest roads.
Carnival vs. Other Minivans
| Starting MSRP | Seats | AWD | Max towing | Powertrain warranty | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kia Carnival | $37,490 (Hybrid $41,490) | 7 or 8 | No | 3,500 lbs (Hybrid 2,500) | 10-yr/100K | – |
| Toyota Sienna (2026, hybrid only) | $41,320 | 7 or 8 | Available | 3,500 lbs | 5-yr/60K | Compare |
| Honda Odyssey (2027) | $43,195 | 8 | No | 3,500 lbs | 5-yr/60K | Compare |
| Chrysler Pacifica (2027) | $41,495 | 7 or 8 | Available | 3,600 lbs | 5-yr/60K | Compare |
Rival data from Toyota (toyota.com prices), Honda and Stellantis as of October 2026; Honda and Chrysler warranty terms from Edmunds. MSRP excludes destination. Powertrain warranty for the original owner.
Carnival Lease Deals at Emich Kia
Emich Kia posts new Carnival lease specials every month, each on a specific in-stock vehicle. See this month's offers and terms before you visit.
Owning a Carnival
- Warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile basic, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain for the original owner and 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance.
- Service: see Kia's maintenance schedule or our 30-60-90K maintenance guide.
- Built in South Korea, so the Carnival doesn't qualify for the car loan interest deduction, which covers U.S.-assembled vehicles such as the gas Sorento and Telluride.
Shop the Carnival at Emich Kia
We stock the Carnival and Carnival Hybrid in most trims, so you can try the seating layouts in person.
- Family-owned since 1922 at 1260 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver, a few minutes from I-25 and Cherry Creek.
- Not sure which trim has the feature you want? We'll check the window sticker on any vehicle before you visit.
- Schedule a test drive, apply for financing online or value your trade before you come in.
2027 Kia Carnival: FAQ
How much does the 2027 Kia Carnival cost?
The 2027 Carnival starts at $37,490 MSRP for the LX and tops out at $51,590 for the SX Prestige, before the $1,545 destination charge. The Carnival Hybrid starts at $41,490.
Is the Kia Carnival a minivan or an SUV?
It's a minivan with SUV-inspired styling. Kia calls it an MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle. It has power sliding doors and three rows of seats like a minivan.
How many seats does the Kia Carnival have?
Seven or eight. The LX has seven with captain's chairs, the LXS has eight with a bench, and the EX, SX and SX Prestige seat eight with seven-seat captain's chairs available.
Is there an 11-seat Kia Carnival?
Not in the United States. Every U.S. Carnival seats seven or eight. Versions with more seats have been sold in other countries.
Does the Kia Carnival have AWD?
No. Every 2027 Carnival and Carnival Hybrid is front-wheel drive.
How much can the Kia Carnival tow?
The V6 Carnival tows 3,500 lbs with trailer brakes. The Carnival Hybrid tows 2,500 lbs.
What gas mileage does the 2027 Carnival get?
The V6 is rated 18 mpg city, 26 highway and 21 combined. The Carnival Hybrid is rated 33 mpg combined.
What's new on the 2027 Carnival?
Captain's chairs are now available on the EX and SX, the Dark Edition package expands to the EX, Iceberg Green paint is new and the highway rating rises to 26 mpg.
Where is the Kia Carnival built?
The Carnival is built in South Korea.
Find Your 2027 Carnival
Shop gas and hybrid Carnivals in stock at Emich Kia in Denver.
Shop Carnival Shop Carnival Hybrid