2024 Kia Carnival vs. 2024 Toyota Sienna Comparison – Kelley Blue Book

When it’s time to haul people and all their stuff and keep them docile while doing it, you need a minivan. There aren’t a lot of choices in the minivan market — just four — but they all stand out in their own way.

Let’s check out two of the best: the 2024 Kia Carnival and the 2024 Toyota Sienna.

2024 Kia Carnival

One of the common complaints about minivans is that they aren’t exactly stylish. Not so anymore — just look at the 2024 Kia Carnival. Designers wanted a vehicle that caught everyone’s eye without making it roll.

Not only did they nail the looks, but it’s also an excellent minivan — or, as Kia likes to call it, an MPV for multipurpose vehicle. The Carnival offers plenty of everything, starting with a potent 290-horsepower V6 engine, class-leading cargo room, and a load of safety and convenience technology. Pricing for the Carnival begins at $34,995, including the destination fee.

Kia Carnival Highlights

Staying safe: The Carnival offers a slew of advanced driver safety technology through its Drive Wise system, including Parking Collision Avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and more.

Affordability: The Carnival has the lowest starting price in the minivan segment, undercutting rivals by thousands of dollars. Even when you move up the Carnival model range, the midrange EX trim starts at $40,495, the high-tech SX model begins at $43,695, and the luxurious SX Prestige trim starts at $48,095.

Big power: When hauling around eight people and their stuff, having a 290-hp V6 engine ensures you’ll confidently get where you need to go with time to spare.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Carnival models for sale near you.

2024 Toyota Sienna

Toyota doesn’t do anything half-heartedly, so it expects it to be class-leading when it makes a minivan. That’s the case with the 2024 Toyota Sienna. It is our highest-rated minivan and a repeat winner of our Best Buy Award. With contemporary styling, room for up to eight, and outstanding fuel economy, it’s a must-examine if you’re in the market.

Moving people and things isn’t enough these days; it’s essential to be efficient. The Sienna is the only offering in the segment that comes standard as a hybrid. Powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor putting out a total of 245 hp, it also gets 36 mpg combined when optioned as a front-wheel drive model. The all-wheel drive (AWD) model still attains 35 mpg.

Available in six trim levels, including the outdoorsy Woodland Edition, the Sienna offers plenty of bang for the buck. Pricing for the Sienna starts at $39,080, including destination and cruises right up to $54,540 for the fully optioned Platinum edition.

Toyota Sienna Highlights

Easy-living interior: With three rows and seating for up to eight, it’s perfect for completing a family’s daily errands or a weekend getaway. Its SofTex synthetic leather makes for easy cleaning, although genuine leather is available on higher-end models.

Safe spot: The minivan is a safe space, earning a Top Safety Pick+ honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-Star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Real value: With class-leading fuel economy at 36 mpg, you keep more money in your pocket. However, the Sienna also retains its value, which means more money later when you’re looking to buy the next vehicle.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sienna models for sale near you.

Similarities

With room for up to eight, attractive styling, and a focus on safety — Kia with its Drive Wise and Toyota with Safety Sense — these two are very competitive.

Conclusion

If you want to save money upfront and get a powerful engine, the Kia Carnival might be the best option. Its base model is $3,500 less expensive than the Sienna. Its V6 puts out 290 hp, compared to the Sienna’s 245 hp. The Kia is also roomier and has a better warranty. However, picking the Sienna means fewer trips to the gas station with its 36 mpg combined, compared to just 22 mpg combined for the Carnival. You might make a different choice when you factor in optional all-wheel drive for Sienna. Weighing the traits of each, along with your budget and particular needs, will help you determine which of these contenders is best for you and your family.