Considering a minivan for your family? You’re in good company. Minivans have evolved, offering superior practicality compared to many three-row SUVs. The 2025 Honda Odyssey and the 2025 Kia Carnival represent different approaches to this segment. The Odyssey, with its proven reliability and enjoyable driving dynamics, and the Carnival, which adopts SUV-inspired styling and a first-ever hybrid powertrain. Both have their strengths, but which one comes out on top?
Price and Value: Kia Carnival Takes the Lead
- Kia Carnival LX: Starting at $37,895
- Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige: Up to $53,995
- Honda Odyssey EX-L: Priced from $43,315 to $52,275
Both minivans have seen price increases recently. However, the Kia offers an impressive value proposition. The Carnival’s base price includes standard features like power sliding side doors, seating for seven, six USB ports, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Adding a second-row seat bumps the price up by $2,000 and includes synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats.
Kia doesn’t offer the hybrid powertrain on the base LX. The Hybrid starts on the LXS and it costs $2,000 more than a comparable V-6 model. The LXS Hybrid is still priced less than the base Odyssey. The $46,095 EX Hybrid includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an in-cabin camera with intercom, and a voice recognition system. To maximize comfort, consider the range-topping Carnival SX Prestige at $51,995 or the SX Prestige Hybrid at $53,995. It includes reclining lounge seats, a 12.0-inch head-up display, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and Bose audio.
Another key advantage for the Kia is its warranty. The Carnival boasts a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Honda no longer offers a low-cost Odyssey LX or EX. The least expensive option, the EX-L, starts at about $43,000. It includes power sliding doors, a power tailgate, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, as well as remote start. The Odyssey Sport-L is a solid choice at around $45,000, with leather upholstery, a power tailgate, a power driver’s seat, and 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey Elite, priced over $52,000, gets a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, parking sensors, a rear-seat entertainment system with a third-row camera and wireless smartphone charging.
Honda provides a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty with 2 years/24,000 miles of included maintenance.
Advantage: The Carnival’s a deal.
Safety: The Odyssey’s Advantage
Both the Carnival and the Odyssey come standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Odyssey earns the NHTSA’s five-star rating and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.
Advantage: The Odyssey.
Interior and Cargo: Both Offer Spaciousness
- Odyssey: 33.0 cubic feet behind the third row; 88.6 behind the second row; 144.9 behind the front row.
- Carnival: 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row; 86.9 behind the second row; 145.1 behind the front row.
Both minivans excel in interior space and can accommodate up to eight passengers. The ultimate in flexibility in this class, of course, is the Chrysler Pacifica with fold-away second and third-row seats in non-hybrid models.
The Carnival offers a high level of comfort for all occupants. Front seats provide excellent support, especially in mid- and high-level trims. Storage is plentiful throughout the cabin. Most Carnivals include a second-row bench with a sliding middle seat that folds down to serve as a console or stays up for eight-passenger seating. These seats can be removed but do not fold into the floor. The SX Prestige offers luxurious dual airline-style seats with footrests. The fold-away third row provides ample space, but access can be somewhat limited.
Cargo space is generous, with 145.1 cubic feet behind the folded-away third-row and folded-down second-row seats and 40.2 cubic feet with all seats in use. The hybrid model doesn’t sacrifice cargo space.
The Odyssey has supportive front bucket seats with abundant small-item storage. The second row is interesting. Honda’s bench seat has a removable middle section, and the outer seats slide sideways. Honda’s third-row seat folds flat into the floor, and access to that row is easier. Honda’s fit and finish has a slight advantage over the Carnival’s glossy black plastic, which shows scratches more easily.
Advantage: Odyssey.
Powertrain and Performance: Carnival Hybrid Takes the Win
- Honda: 280-hp V-6 with a 10-speed automatic.
- Kia: 287-hp V-6 with an 8-speed automatic or a 242-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4 hybrid with a 54-kw electric motor.
Both models are front-wheel drive only.
The Odyssey’s V-6 contributes to engaging driving dynamics. The Carnival Hybrid delivers a quieter, more efficient ride, making it family-friendly.
The Kia Carnival V-6 has decent acceleration, paired with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic and can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Carnival Hybrid is the better choice. Its 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine and electric motor provide 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Similar to the Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage hybrids, it has a 6-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive. It’s more responsive off the line than the gas Carnival and quieter than both the V-6 Carnival and the Odyssey. Sport mode holds gears longer. Eco and Smart modes utilize paddle shifters for regenerative braking with three settings.
The Carnival’s front struts and multi-link rear suspension offer a comfortable ride. The numbness in the steering amplifies its inoffensive, practical tuning.
The Odyssey’s 10-speed automatic has smart reflexes, and its V-6 provides ample torque. The 10-speed gets busy choosing the right gear on occasion. The Odyssey’s front struts and multi-link rear suspension prioritize ride comfort. The Odyssey offers more feedback than the Kia; its steering tracks well on the highway, but it’s lacks centering weight.
Advantage: The Carnival Hybrid.
Fuel Economy: Carnival Hybrid Excels
- Kia Carnival: 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined
- Carnival Hybrid: 34 mpg city, 31 highway, 33 combined
- Honda Odyssey: 19 mpg city, 28 highway, 22 combined
Advantage: The Carnival Hybrid.
The Verdict: Carnival Leads the Pack
The Honda Odyssey scores highly for safety and utility. However, the Kia Carnival excels in features, value, and styling, especially when equipped with the hybrid powertrain, securing its place as our top-ranked minivan. The Carnival earns a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10, surpassing the aging Odyssey.
