The 2027 Kia Carnival starts at $37,490, a $5,705 lower start than the 2027 Honda Odyssey's $43,195, and it comes as a 287-horsepower V6 or a 242-horsepower hybrid rated 33 mpg combined. The Odyssey is a V6 only, rated 22 mpg combined, with the larger maximum cargo hold.

Outten Kia sells the Carnival, and a Reading or Allentown family weighing it against the Odyssey is deciding between price, engine choice, third-row space and warranty length. Each is set out below with both vehicles' figures.

The Short Answer: Carnival or Odyssey?

For most Reading and Allentown families the Carnival is the better value: a lower starting price, a hybrid option, more power from the V6 and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Odyssey is the pick for a family that puts maximum cargo volume and third-row legroom first, or that wants the best highway mpg from a V6.

2027 Kia Carnival Overview

The Carnival seats seven or eight, with power sliding rear doors on every trim and a third row that folds into the floor. It offers a 3.5-liter V6 (287 horsepower, 260 lb-ft) or a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid (242 horsepower, 271 lb-ft combined), both front-wheel drive, across nine trims from $37,490 to $53,590. The Carnival overview has the full detail.

2027 Honda Odyssey Overview

Honda lists the Odyssey with one powertrain, a 3.5-liter V6 rated 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm, through a 10-speed automatic, front-wheel drive. Honda lists four trims, EX-L at $43,195, Sport-L at $44,295, Touring at $47,895 and Elite at $52,095, with eight-person seating, a 3,500-pound towing capacity and an EPA rating of 19 city, 28 highway and 22 combined. Honda's Key Features list includes Magic Slide second-row seats, a CabinTalk in-car PA system, a CabinWatch rear seat monitor and a power tailgate.

Powertrain Comparison

The Carnival has two powertrains and the Odyssey one. The Carnival V6 leads on horsepower and the Odyssey leads slightly on torque.

Powertrain	Carnival V6	Carnival Hybrid	2027 Odyssey
Engine	3.5L V6	1.6L turbo four with hybrid system	3.5L V6
Horsepower	287 hp	242 hp combined	280 hp
Torque	260 lb-ft	271 lb-ft combined	262 lb-ft
Transmission	8-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	10-speed automatic
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 26 / 21 mpg	34 / 32 / 33 mpg	19 / 28 / 22 mpg
Annual fuel cost (fueleconomy.gov)	$3,200	$2,050	$3,050
Towing, properly equipped	3,500 lb	2,500 lb	3,500 lb
Fuel tank	19.0 gal	19.0 gal	19.5 gal

The Carnival V6 makes 7 more horsepower than the Odyssey and matches its 3,500-pound towing rating. The Carnival Hybrid's fuel estimate is $1,000 a year below the Odyssey's.

Interior and Technology Comparison

Both seat up to eight with a third row that folds away. The Carnival holds more behind the third row and the Odyssey holds more at the maximum.

Interior and cargo	2027 Carnival	2027 Odyssey
Seating	Seven or eight by trim, with a Slide-Flex second row	8-person capacity; Magic Slide second row
Cargo behind the third row	40.2 cu ft	32.8 cu ft standard, 38.6 cu ft maximum
Cargo behind the first row	145.1 cu ft maximum	140.7 cu ft standard, 155.8 cu ft maximum
Legroom, rows 1 / 2 / 3	41.1 / 40.5 / 35.6 in	40.9 / 40.9 / 38.1 in
Hip room by row (1 / 2 / 3)	59.8 / 66.4 / 50.4 in	58.6 / 64.8 / 48.4 in
Length / wheelbase	203.0 in / 121.7 in	205.2 in / 118.1 in

Every Carnival ships with a 12.3-inch navigation touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the SX adds dual 12.3-inch displays, and the SX Prestige adds a head-up display and Bose audio. From the EX, a passenger view camera and cabin intercom keep the third row in touch, and the hybrid SX Prestige adds a $2,500 dual-screen rear entertainment package.

Pricing and Value

These are the published starting MSRPs, with Kia's $1,545 destination charge not included in the Carnival figures.

Vehicle and trim	Published starting MSRP
Carnival V6 LX	$37,490
Carnival V6 SX Prestige	$51,590
Carnival Hybrid LXS	$41,490
Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige	$53,590
Odyssey EX-L	$43,195
Odyssey Sport-L	$44,295
Odyssey Touring	$47,895
Odyssey Elite	$52,095

The Carnival LX starts $5,705 below the Odyssey EX-L, and with the $1,545 destination charge added it comes to $39,035, still well below the Odyssey's published $43,195. The Carnival Hybrid LXS at $41,490 is also below it.

Where the Carnival Wins

A lower starting price

The Carnival LX starts at $37,490 against the Odyssey EX-L's published $43,195, a difference of $5,705.

A hybrid option

The Carnival Hybrid is rated 33 mpg combined with an annual fuel cost of $2,050 on fueleconomy.gov, against 22 mpg and $3,050 for the Odyssey. Honda lists the 2027 Odyssey with one powertrain, a V6.

More power from the V6

The Carnival V6 makes 287 horsepower against the Odyssey's 280, 7 more, with the same 3,500-pound towing rating.

More room behind the third row

The Carnival holds 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row against the Odyssey's 32.8 standard, 7.4 cubic feet more.

A longer powertrain warranty

Kia covers the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Honda states a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty for its vehicles.

Where the Odyssey Wins

Maximum cargo

Honda lists 155.8 cubic feet behind the first row at the maximum against the Carnival's 145.1, 10.7 cubic feet more.

Third-row legroom

Honda lists 38.1 inches of third-row legroom against the Carnival's 35.6, 2.5 inches more.

V6 fuel economy

The Odyssey is rated 22 mpg combined against the Carnival V6's 21, with an annual fuel estimate of $3,050 against $3,200.

Which Should You Choose, Carnival or Odyssey?

• The most accessible price into a three-row: the Carnival LX at $37,490.
• A weekday highway commute: the Carnival Hybrid EX at $43,690, rated 33 mpg combined.
• Cargo hauls and the bigger maximum hold: the Odyssey, at 155.8 cubic feet maximum.
• Teens in the third row: the Odyssey's 38.1 inches of third-row legroom.
• Towing a boat to Blue Marsh Lake: either V6, both rated 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

Test Drive the Carnival at Outten Kia

Outten Kia is at 900 S Fourth St, Hamburg, and the Carnival inventory lists every trim in stock. Schedule a test drive to try the third row and the cargo hold with your own family, or call (610) 562-7577. Lebanon and Quakertown buyers can get pre-approved before the visit.

Carnival vs Odyssey FAQs

Is the Kia Carnival cheaper than the Honda Odyssey?

Yes. The Carnival LX starts at $37,490 and the Carnival Hybrid LXS at $41,490, against the Odyssey EX-L's published $43,195, a $5,705 gap at the entry trims.

Does the Honda Odyssey come as a hybrid?

Honda lists the 2027 Odyssey with a 3.5-liter V6 only. The Carnival is sold as a V6 and as a hybrid rated 33 mpg combined.

Which has more horsepower, the Carnival or the Odyssey?

The Carnival V6 makes 287 horsepower and the Odyssey 280, with torque at 260 and 262 lb-ft.

Which has more cargo space, the Carnival or the Odyssey?

The Carnival holds 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row against 32.8, and the Odyssey holds more at the maximum, 155.8 cubic feet against 145.1.

Which gets better gas mileage, the Carnival or the Odyssey?

The Carnival Hybrid is rated 33 mpg combined and the Odyssey 22. Among V6s the Odyssey leads by 1 mpg, 22 against 21 (fueleconomy.gov).

How much can each tow?

The two V6 engines share a 3,500-pound rating, and the Carnival Hybrid is rated 2,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

Which has the better warranty?

Kia's Powertrain Limited Warranty is 10 years or 100,000 miles. Honda states a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

How many people does each seat?

The Carnival seats seven or eight and Honda lists eight-person seating for the Odyssey.

Explore the Carnival