Kia Carnival
The 2026 Kia Carnival offers good overall reliability, but buyers should prioritize confirming the fuel system leak recall has been addressed.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2026 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | minivan | 6 | 3.5 | Regular | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive |
| 2025 | minivan | 6 | 3.5 | Regular | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive |
| 2024 | minivan | 6 | 3.5 | Regular | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive |
| 2023 | minivan | 6 | 3.5 | Regular | Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive |
| 2022 | minivan | 6 | 3.5 | Regular | Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | pricing | Trim | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Trim: EX | EX | — |
| 2024 | Trim: SX, SX Prestige | SX, SX Prestige | — |
| 2023 | Trim: LX, LX Seat Package, Note: LX: 7 Seats / LX Seat Package: 8 Seats | LX, LX Seat Package | LX: 7 Seats / LX Seat Package: 8 Seats |
| 2022 | Trim: LX, LX Seat Package, Note: Seating Capacity: 7/8 | LX, LX Seat Package | Seating Capacity: 7/8 |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Frontal crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotMonitoring | blindSpotIntervention | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | rearAeb | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | Overall rating | Side crash | laneCenteringAssist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 4 | 2026 KIA CARNIVAL PV N/A FWD | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 | 2025 Kia Carnival PV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | 2024 Kia Carnival PV Later Release FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | 5 | 5 | — |
| 2023 | — | — | 2023 Kia Carnival MV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | — | standard |
| 2022 | — | — | 2022 Kia Carnival MV FWD | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | — | standard |
Technology & electrification
Listed infotainment, equipment, battery, and charging data.
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Kia Carnival offers good overall reliability, but buyers should prioritize confirming the fuel system leak recall has been addressed.
2025
The 2025 Kia Carnival offers good overall reliability, but a critical fuel system recall warrants close inspection.
2024
The 2024 Kia Carnival offers a 5-star overall safety rating and good fuel economy, but critical recalls for fuel system leaks and structural roof molding issues warrant careful inspection.
2023
The 2023 Kia Carnival presents an average reliability profile, with a critical fuel system recall demanding thorough inspection.
2022
The 2022 Kia Carnival presents a mixed reliability picture.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Kia Carnival?
Carfocal currently has 5 published Carnival reports, covering 2022 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Kia Carnival offers good overall reliability, but buyers should prioritize confirming the fuel system leak recall has been addressed.
Published year coverage: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Kia Carnival reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Kia Carnival. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 kia carnival offers good overall reliability, but buyers should prioritize confirming the fuel system leak recall has been addressed. and the 2026 kia carnival can represent good value if purchased at a fair price, provided all safety recalls are confirmed complete. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
5 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Kia Carnival?
Across Carfocal's published Carnival guides, recurring problem areas include Fuel System, Instrument Cluster, and Brakes. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Fuel System, Instrument Cluster, and Brakes.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 5
- Years tracked
- 5
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints