If you're looking for a family vehicle to get around Corinth in, the Kia Carnival MPV and the Toyota Sienna both have serious perks for family life. These minivans tackle family transport differently, though. The Carnival MPV brings more space and power, while the Sienna is all about fuel efficiency and lasting forever. At Huffines Kia Corinth, we'll help you discover what each one has to offer so that you can figure out which works better for you.
Performance and Powertrain Comparison
The 2026 Kia Carnival MPV has both gas and hybrid options available. The standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine provides 287 horsepower through an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering ample power for highway merging and feeling confident when you need to move fast. The Carnival MPV Hybrid mixes a 1.6-liter turbocharged powertrain with an electric motor, resulting in a combined 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. It's also able to go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Towing capacity hits 3,500 pounds with the V-6 engine but drops to 2,500 pounds with the hybrid model.
Toyota went all-in on hybrid power for the Sienna. All models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors — three if you get all-wheel drive. Total output lands at 245 horsepower from a nickel-metal-hydride battery running through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The Sienna hits 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. The Sienna matches the Kia Carnival MPV's towing capacity at 3,500 pounds.
Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Gas mileage is where these two vehicles really differ. The Toyota Sienna gets 36 mpg combined with the front-wheel-drive version and 35 mpg combined with all-wheel-drive models, making it one of the most fuel-efficient three-row vehicles you can buy.
The standard V-6 Kia Carnival MPV is rated at 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The 2026 Kia Carnival MPV Hybrid has EPA ratings of 34 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined. That's competitive with the Sienna while keeping the V-6's power when you need it.
For families in the Corinth area that are concerned about the environmental impact of a vehicle, both the Kia and Toyota hybrid models use substantially less fuel and have reduced emissions.
Interior, Comfort, and Technology
Space is where the Carnival MPV really shines. It's got 20% more cargo space behind the third row and 43% more behind the first row compared to the Sienna. It has 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum capacity of 145.1 cubic feet, versus the Sienna's 33.5 cubic feet and 101 cubic feet for those same areas.
The Carnival MPV seats 7 or 8 people with a removable second-row bench or captain's chairs. The available VIP lounge seats with power recline and footrests are amazing, but they can make getting to the third row tough. The Sienna also seats 7 or 8 people, with non-removable but more flexible second-row seating. Its captain's chairs have flip-out footrests and better third-row access thanks to its super-long-slide feature. The Sienna's 38.7 inches of third-row legroom gives you 3.1 inches more than the Kia's 35.6 inches.
The technology features in these two vehicles take different approaches. The Kia Carnival MPV sports a bigger 12.3-inch touch screen compared to the Toyota Sienna's 8-inch display. It also includes a dual-screen rear entertainment system and a dual-panel sunroof on higher trims. The Sienna comes with unique family features on higher trims, such as a built-in vacuum cleaner and a built-in FridgeBox. Both offer available 8-way power seats, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats with memory function in premium configurations, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety, Pricing, and Value
Safety features show that both minivans protect families well. The Toyota Sienna earned a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration five-star overall rating and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick designation. Both include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and active lane control. Toyota includes adaptive cruise control standard, while Kia makes it available on higher models.
Pricing gives the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV a clear advantage. The LX starts at $36,990, while the LXS Hybrid begins at $40,990, and the SX Prestige Hybrid at $53,090. The Toyota Sienna LE starts at $39,485. All-wheel drive costs $2,000 extra on most trims. The Sienna Platinum with all-wheel drive has an MSRP of $57,205.
Both vehicles have similar resale value, with a slight edge for the Kia. According to Kelly Blue Book, the 2023 Kia Carnival MPV depreciated by 16%, whereas the 2023 Toyota Sienna depreciated by 21%. Kia's warranty coverage includes a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty versus Toyota's three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Finding Your Perfect Family Minivan
Choosing the 2025 Toyota Sienna or the 2026 Kia Carnival MPV depends on what matters most to your family. The Carnival MPV offers lower upfront costs and better warranty coverage, and its cargo capacity is great for active lifestyles, sports equipment, or traveling with family. For better fuel economy, you can opt for the Carnival MPV Hybrid.
Visit us at Huffines Kia Corinth to explore our current Carnival MPV inventory and discover how this versatile minivan can fit your lifestyle. Contact our team with questions about features, financing, or availability, or schedule a test drive to see it for yourself.