2027 Kia Carnival vs 2027 Honda Odyssey: Which Minivan Fits Your NYC Family?
Published October 1, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
The Kia Carnival vs Honda Odyssey matchup is the minivan choice for New York City families who want space without a three-row SUV. The 2027 Kia Carnival costs less to start, offers a 33-mpg hybrid and a big 12.3-inch screen on every trim. The 2027 Honda Odyssey answers with eight seats on every trim, removable Magic Slide second-row seats and more room in the third row. The short answer: Carnival for value and fuel savings, Odyssey for seating flexibility.
Carnival or Odyssey: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2027 Kia Carnival if you want the lower price ($37,490 for an LX), the only hybrid of the two (33 mpg combined), a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim, the most space behind the third row (40.2 cubic feet) and Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
- Choose the 2027 Honda Odyssey if seating flexibility matters most: eight seats on every trim, Magic Slide second-row seats that slide side to side or come out, 38.1 inches of third-row legroom, up to 155.8 cubic feet of cargo space and Honda Service Pass maintenance for the first year.
- Bottom line for NYC: commuters and budget-minded families get more for less with the Carnival, especially the hybrid; families who shuffle car seats, carry adults in the third row or move bulky items will appreciate the Odyssey.
Model-year timing: Both minivans are 2027 models on sale now. Kia announced 2027 Carnival pricing in July 2026; the main changes are second-row captain's chairs on the EX and SX, a new Iceberg Green color and the Dark Edition package on the EX, and rear-seat entertainment now limited to the Hybrid SX Prestige. The 2027 Honda Odyssey carries over the design Honda refreshed for 2025. Read more about the 2027 Kia Carnival for NYC families and the 2027 Honda Odyssey trim by trim.
Kia Carnival vs Honda Odyssey Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 2027 Kia Carnival | 2027 Honda Odyssey | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $37,490 (LX); $41,490 (Hybrid LXS). Destination $1,545 | $43,195 (EX-L). Destination $1,595 | Carnival |
| Powertrains | 3.5L V6, 287 hp, 8-speed; 1.6L turbo hybrid, 242 hp, 6-speed | 3.5L V6, 280 hp, 10-speed | Carnival |
| EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb) | 18/26/21 gas; 34/32/33 hybrid | 19/28/22 | Carnival (hybrid) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | Tie |
| Seating | 7 or 8 by configuration | 8 on every trim | Odyssey |
| Second-row seats | Bench or captain's chairs (EX, SX for 2027); VIP Lounge Seats on Hybrid SX Prestige | Magic Slide: slide side to side, removable | Odyssey |
| Touchscreen | 12.3-inch on every trim; dual 12.3-inch panoramic display available | 9-inch on every trim | Carnival |
| Rear entertainment | Hybrid SX Prestige only | 12.8-inch screen on Touring & Elite; CabinTalk on every trim | Odyssey |
| Cargo (behind 3rd row / max) | 40.2 / 145.1 cu ft | 32.8–38.6 / 155.8 cu ft (2nd row removed) | Carnival (3rd row) / Odyssey (max) |
| 2nd / 3rd-row legroom | 40.5 / 35.6 in | 40.9 / 38.1 in | Odyssey |
| Length | 203.0 in | 205.2 in | Carnival |
| Towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| IIHS rating | No 2026 award; Marginal in updated moderate overlap, Acceptable in updated side | No 2026 award; Poor in updated moderate overlap, Good in updated side | Mixed |
| NHTSA overall | 5 stars (2026) | 5 stars (2026) | Tie |
| Awards | Car and Driver Editors' Choice 2026; U.S. News Best Minivan for Families 2026 | Kelley Blue Book #1 Best Minivan, 2026 | Tie |
| Warranty / maintenance | 5 yr/60,000 mi basic; 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain; hybrid battery 10 yr/100,000 mi | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain; Honda Service Pass 12 mo/12,000 mi | Carnival (warranty) / Odyssey (maintenance) |
Price and Value
The 2027 Kia Carnival is the value leader. The Carnival LX starts at $37,490, $5,705 below the 2027 Honda Odyssey EX-L at $43,195, and even the Carnival Hybrid LXS at $41,490 undercuts the least expensive Odyssey by $1,705. That's Kia's value-first approach applied to a minivan.
2027 Kia Carnival trims
Gas: LX $37,490, LXS $39,490, EX $41,690, SX $46,590 and SX Prestige $51,590. Hybrid: LXS $41,490, EX $43,690, SX $48,590 and SX Prestige $53,590. Kia's destination charge is $1,545. Every Carnival includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the lineup offers up to nine USB-C ports. Shop new Kia Carnival inventory in NYC or the Carnival Hybrid lineup.
2027 Honda Odyssey trims
EX-L $43,195, Sport-L $44,295, Touring $47,895 and Elite $52,095, plus a $1,595 destination charge. Every Odyssey seats eight and includes Magic Slide second-row seats, Honda Sensing, synthetic leather, heated front seats, a power moonroof, a 9-inch touchscreen and CabinTalk. The Touring adds leather-trimmed seats and the 12.8-inch rear entertainment system, and the Elite adds ventilated front seats and a hands-free power tailgate. Browse new Honda Odyssey inventory in NYC or certified pre-owned Odyssey models.
Lease specials are updated every month, so check the current Kia lease specials (updated monthly) and Kia manufacturer incentives and rebates, plus the current Honda lease specials (updated monthly) and Honda manufacturer incentives and rebates. Trading in? Get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your current car before you visit.
Performance and Fuel Economy in NYC Traffic
The 2027 Kia Carnival Hybrid is the efficiency pick. Its 1.6-liter turbo hybrid makes 242 hp and is EPA-rated 34 city/32 highway/33 combined mpg, and that city number pays off in stop-and-go traffic on the BQE or Cross Bronx. The gas Carnival's 287-hp V6 is rated 18/26/21 mpg.
The 2027 Honda Odyssey's 3.5-liter V6 makes 280 hp and 262 lb-ft through a 10-speed automatic and is rated 19/28/22 mpg, slightly better than the gas Carnival. Both minivans tow up to 3,500 pounds and use front-wheel drive. Over 12,000 miles a year, based on EPA combined ratings, the Carnival Hybrid uses about 364 gallons, the Odyssey about 545 and the gas Carnival about 571.
Honda's engineering gives the Odyssey a responsive, car-like feel that's rare in a minivan, while the Carnival's smooth hybrid is the quieter choice in crawling city traffic.
Size, Parking and Cargo Space
The 2027 Kia Carnival is slightly shorter; the 2027 Honda Odyssey is the more flexible hauler. At 203.0 inches long, the Carnival is 2.2 inches shorter than the 205.2-inch Odyssey, a small help when you're parallel parking on a crowded block. Both are big vehicles for city parking, so cameras and parking sensors matter on either. Prefer an SUV with a third row? See our Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Odyssey comparison.
Behind the third row, the Carnival leads with 40.2 cubic feet, versus 32.8 to 38.6 in the Odyssey, so daily strollers and grocery runs fit easily with every seat in use. With seats folded or removed, the Odyssey pulls ahead: taking out its Magic Slide second-row seats opens up to 155.8 cubic feet, compared with a maximum of 145.1 in the Carnival. The Odyssey also gives third-row riders 2.5 more inches of legroom, 38.1 versus 35.6.
For an IKEA run or a weekend of camping gear, the Odyssey's removable second row is the bigger advantage; for daily school runs with every seat filled, the Carnival's deeper well behind the third row is the more useful space.
Interior, Tech and Comfort
The 2027 Kia Carnival has the bigger standard screen; the 2027 Honda Odyssey has the more family-focused features. Every Carnival includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a dual 12.3-inch panoramic display is available. For 2027, Kia offers second-row captain's chairs on the EX and SX, and the Hybrid SX Prestige adds VIP Lounge Seats and rear-seat entertainment. Every Odyssey has a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and CabinTalk, which lets the driver speak to the back rows through the speakers.
The Odyssey's Magic Slide second row is its secret weapon for NYC families: slide the seats apart to separate siblings, together to reach a car seat from the third row, or remove them entirely. The Touring and Elite add a 12.8-inch rear entertainment screen for long drives to the Catskills or Montauk.
Safety Ratings and Awards
Both minivans earn 5-star NHTSA overall ratings, and both include a full driver-assist suite: Kia Drive Wise features on the Carnival and Honda Sensing on the Odyssey, reflecting Honda's safety-for-everyone approach.
IIHS: Neither minivan earned a 2026 IIHS award. Both scored Good in the small overlap test. In the updated moderate overlap test, which measures rear-seat protection, the Carnival rated Marginal and the Odyssey Poor; in the updated side test, the Odyssey rated Good and the Carnival Acceptable. NHTSA: Both are rated 5 stars overall for 2026.
Awards: The Kia Carnival and Carnival Hybrid earned 2026 Car and Driver Editors' Choice awards, and U.S. News & World Report named the 2026 Carnival its Best Minivan for Families. Kelley Blue Book ranks the 2026 Honda Odyssey its #1 Best Minivan.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The 2027 Kia Carnival has the longer warranty; the 2027 Honda Odyssey includes free scheduled maintenance for the first year. Kia covers the Carnival for 5 years or 60,000 miles and the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and the Carnival Hybrid's battery for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Honda covers the Odyssey for 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain for 5 years or 60,000 miles, and every 2027 Odyssey qualifies for Honda Service Pass, covering factory-scheduled maintenance for 12 months or 12,000 miles.
The Carnival Hybrid should cost the least to fuel, while the Odyssey's long record of strong resale value helps offset its higher price when it's time to trade in.
Which One Should You Buy?
Budget-first family
A Carnival LX starts at $37,490, $5,705 below the Odyssey, with a 12.3-inch screen and a 10-year powertrain warranty.
High-mileage commuter
The Carnival Hybrid's 33-mpg combined rating saves about 180 gallons a year over the Odyssey at 12,000 miles.
Car-seat family
Eight seats on every trim and Magic Slide second-row seats make reaching the third row and juggling car seats easy.
Teens and adults in back
The Odyssey's 38.1 inches of third-row legroom and up to 155.8 cubic feet of cargo space suit bigger passengers and bulky gear.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Carnival | $37,490 vs $43,195 |
| Fuel economy | Carnival | Hybrid up to 33 mpg combined |
| Screens and tech | Carnival | 12.3-in touchscreen standard |
| Seating flexibility | Odyssey | 8 seats on every trim; removable Magic Slide seats |
| Third-row comfort | Odyssey | 38.1 vs 35.6 in of legroom |
| Cargo space | Split | Carnival behind 3rd row; Odyssey at maximum |
| Warranty | Carnival | 10-yr/100,000-mi powertrain |
| Overall for NYC families | Split | Carnival for value and mpg; Odyssey for flexibility |
Still deciding? See how the Odyssey compares with the hybrid Toyota Sienna and with the Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV. If you only need a third row now and then, Kia's smaller option is covered in our Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe comparison.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Auto Mall delivers your new or pre-owned vehicle to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Farther away? Delivery is available on request.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryKia Carnival vs Honda Odyssey: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kia Carnival or Honda Odyssey better for New York City families?
It depends on your priorities. The 2027 Kia Carnival costs less, offers a 33-mpg hybrid, a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim and more space behind the third row. The 2027 Honda Odyssey seats eight on every trim, has removable Magic Slide second-row seats, more third-row legroom and up to 155.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Which gets better gas mileage, the Carnival or the Odyssey?
The Kia Carnival Hybrid does, at an EPA-rated 34 city, 32 highway and 33 combined mpg. Among gas models, the 2027 Honda Odyssey's 280-hp V6 is rated 19/28/22 mpg, slightly better than the gas Carnival's 287-hp V6 at 18/26/21 mpg. Honda does not offer an Odyssey hybrid.
Does the Kia Carnival come as a hybrid?
Yes. For 2027, the Kia Carnival Hybrid is offered in LXS, EX, SX and SX Prestige trims, starting at $41,490 MSRP. It pairs a 1.6-liter turbo engine with an electric motor for 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic.
Which minivan has more cargo space?
Behind the third row, the 2027 Kia Carnival leads with 40.2 cubic feet, versus 32.8 to 38.6 in the 2027 Honda Odyssey. With seats folded or removed, the Odyssey reaches up to 155.8 cubic feet with its second-row seats taken out, compared with a maximum of 145.1 for the Carnival.
Which is cheaper, the Kia Carnival or the Honda Odyssey?
The Kia Carnival. The 2027 Carnival LX starts at $37,490 MSRP and the Carnival Hybrid LXS at $41,490, while the 2027 Honda Odyssey starts at $43,195 for the EX-L. The Odyssey EX-L does include eight seats, synthetic leather, heated front seats and a power moonroof as standard.
Which is safer, the Carnival or the Odyssey?
Both earn 5-star NHTSA overall ratings for 2026, and neither earned a 2026 IIHS award. Both scored Good in the IIHS small overlap test. In the updated moderate overlap test, which measures rear-seat protection, the Carnival rated Marginal and the Odyssey Poor, while the Odyssey scored better in the updated side test.
Which has the better warranty, Kia or Honda?
Kia's warranty is longer: 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Honda covers the Odyssey for 3 years or 36,000 miles and 5 years or 60,000 miles, but every 2027 Odyssey includes Honda Service Pass maintenance for 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Test-Drive the Carnival and Odyssey at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Kia (2746 Nostrand Ave) and Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave) are a few doors apart on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, so you can drive the 2027 Kia Carnival and 2027 Honda Odyssey back to back in one visit. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves families from Queens, Staten Island and Long Island, with free delivery within 25 miles. See the full Plaza Kia inventory and Plaza Honda inventory, or call Plaza Kia at (855) 531-8744 or Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785.
*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information available as of October 1, 2026 and are subject to change. See dealer for details.
