Kia Sedona vs. Kia Carnival
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Sedona and Kia Carnival contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Sedona and the Kia Carnival.
In comparing the Kia Sedona's and the Kia Carnival's specifications and ratings, the Kia Sedona has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Kia Carnival has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sedona's and the Kia Carnival's specifications and ratings, the Kia Carnival is a better car than the Kia Sedona.
Pricing: A used 2021 Kia Sedona ranges from $19,854 to $31,023 while a used 2024 Kia Carnival is priced between $33,988 to $49,498.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Sedona loses 44.9 percent of its value and the Kia Carnival loses 44.8 percent of its value. This means the Kia Carnival retains 0 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Sedona.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Sedona’s base engine makes 276 horsepower, and the Kia Carnival base engine makes 290 horsepower. The Sedona is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 506 miles. The Carnival is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 494 miles.This gives the Kia Carnival the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Sedona the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are minivans, the Kia Carnival has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Kia Sedona has the advantage in the areas of rear leg room
Safety Ratings: The Kia Sedona has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$30,400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Minivans)
$28,624
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Minivans)
$23,630 - $36,245
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$36,195 - $49,814
Starting MSRP:
$33,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Minivans)
$37,294
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Minivans)
$33,600 - $39,400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,286
Price Range:
$19,854 - $31,023
Category Avg Price:
(Minivans)
$26,703
Category Avg Price Range:
(Minivans)
$22,494 - $33,455
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
49
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
62,239
# Good or Great Deals:
25
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$40,962
Price Range:
$33,988 - $49,498
Category Avg Price:
(Minivans)
$51,199
Category Avg Price Range:
(Minivans)
$40,962 - $64,658
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
643
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
3,500
# Good or Great Deals:
40
Kia Sedona Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Kia Carnival Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Sedona
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Carnival
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Minivans)
2.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Minivans)
1.1 - 20.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Minivans)
5.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Minivans)
4.2 - 15.4
Kia Sedona Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 7Kia Carnival Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 7Summary Review
Shoppers seeking an alternative to the Honda Odyssey may find it in the Kia Sedona. The Sedona is a modern minivan with a satisfying luxurious ride in its top trims.
Summary Review
Kia changed its minivan name, and substantially upped its game, when it introduced the stylish and feature-laded Kia Carnival.
Pros and Cons
- Modern infotainment system
- Standard V6 power
- Best minivan warranty in America
- Standard spare tire
- About to be discontinued
- LX trim lacks common safety features
Pros and Cons
- Largest interior volume in the category
- Highest horsepower and towing capacity in the category
- Impressive list of standard and optional features
- Attractive exterior styling gives it SUV-like mojo
- Coolest features reserved for pricier SX and SX Prestige trims
- Reclining second-row seats won’t work for tall adults
Available Body Styles
Minivan
Available Body Styles
Minivan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Sedona Trim Levels
EX, LX, SX
Kia Carnival Trim Levels
EX, LX, SX, SX Prestige
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
276 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
248 foot-lbs @ 5200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.062 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
262 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 24 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
380 / 506 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
361 / 494 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
63.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
63.1 inches
Cargo Space:
33.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
78.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
199.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
64.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
63.2 inches
Cargo Space:
40.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
78.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
208.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4443 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
68.5 inches
Length:
201.4 inches
Wheelbase:
120.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4431 lbs
Width:
89.2 inches
Height:
68.5 inches
Length:
203 inches
Wheelbase:
121.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Blue
Celestial Blue
Silver
Panthera Metal / Silky Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Deep Chroma Blue
Silver
Panthera Metal
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Gray
Dark Graphite
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
