Powertrain Options
One of the most significant parts of the Carnival’s 2025 refresh is the addition of a hybrid powerplant. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine produces 242 combined horsepower and is an available upgrade over the standard 287-horsepower V6. Unlike the hybrid-only Sienna, which uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Carnival MPV Hybrid relies on a conventional automatic transmission for more predictable shifting patterns and consistent performance.
As far as powertrain choice, buyers looking for a conventional gas-powered minivan will need to cross the Sienna off their shopping lists. On the other hand, the Odyssey doesn’t offer a hybrid option; its standard V6 produces 280 horsepower. The Pacifica has a V6 base engine that matches the Carnival’s horsepower. Chrysler does offer the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, but with a starting price above $51,000, the convenience of short-distance electric driving (up to 32 miles) comes at a substantial premium. More pricing details are covered below.
Warranty and Support
Simply put, the Carnival’s extensive warranty is unrivaled in the minivan segment. Buyers enjoy bumper-to-bumper protection for five years or 60,000 miles, compared to three years or 36,000 miles for the listed competitors. The Carnival’s value becomes even more evident when you consider its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The competition ends this vital coverage after five years or 60,000 miles.
In addition, Kia customers receive roadside assistance services for five years or 60,000 miles, which is the same for Chrysler. Honda provides this support for three years or 36,000 miles, while Toyota only offers roadside assistance for two years (with no mileage limitations).
Safety Technology
All four of these minivans come with suites of the latest safety features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. However, the Carnival has some driver-assistance systems that either aren’t available on their rivals or cost extra to obtain. For instance, front and rear parking sensors are standard on all Carnival trims, while Honda requires Odyssey buyers to step up to their highest-priced trims (Touring or Elite). The Sienna only provides this feature on the XSE and above. Further, the Carnival’s rear cross-traffic collision avoidance system can automatically apply the brakes during reversing if a collision is detected. The other minivans offer a rear cross-traffic alert system that only sounds a warning. In addition, only the Carnival has a GPS-based adaptive cruise control for more predictive and efficient semi-autonomous driving. Its rivals don’t incorporate this technology.
Dimensions
The Carnival offers best-in-class passenger and cargo-carrying capacity. For example, its cargo space behind the third row is 40.2 cubic feet, compared to 32.3 to 33.5 cubic feet for the competition. At the same time, Carnival passengers enjoy more front legroom, front headroom, and front and rear shoulder room than those in an Odyssey, Pacifica, or Sienna.
Pricing
Budget-conscious minivan shoppers will appreciate the Carnival’s class-leading starting price of $36,800. The others approach or exceed the $40,000 mark, with the base Sienna costing $39,185. The cheapest Odyssey and Pacifica trims begin at $42,220 and $42,450, respectively. The Carnival MPV Hybrid has a base MSRP of $40,800, which tops the entry-level Sienna. However, this edition includes a jump to the LXS trim (over the LX in the standard Carnival), a more extensive warranty than Toyota, and more standard features (like heated front seats and leatherette upholstery) over the Sienna.
Cost Savings
Out-of-pocket expenses should also be factored into minivan ownership. The Carnival excels in several critical areas. For instance, Edmunds estimates that over the initial five years (based on 15,000 miles annually), the Carnival costs less to insure, finance, and repair ($3,770, $7,727, and $646, respectively) compared to the competition. These numbers range from $3,880 to $3,985 (insurance), $8,176 to $8,616 (financing), and $744 to $929 (repairs).
