The gas Carnival runs a 3.5-liter V6 with gasoline direct injection, rated at 287 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic. That output is the same on all five trims, so the entry LX gets the same engine as the SX Prestige.

Kia also offers a hybrid Carnival on four of the five trims, pairing a 1.6-liter turbocharged four with an electric motor for 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of combined system output. The hybrid uses a conventional six-speed automatic rather than a CVT, and both powertrains are front-wheel drive.

• 3.5L V6: 287 hp and 260 lb-ft
• Eight-speed automatic on every gas trim
• Hybrid: 242 hp, 271 lb-ft combined system output
• Hybrid uses a six-speed automatic, not a CVT
• V6: EPA-estimated 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined
• 19.0-gallon fuel tank

Kia fits a deep list of driver assistance to every Carnival trim. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian, cyclist and junction-turning detection, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist 2, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Safe Exit Assist and Rear Occupant Alert are all standard from the LX up.

Highway Driving Assist comes on the LX, LXS and EX, and the SX and SX Prestige move up to Highway Driving Assist 2 along with a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, side parking sensors and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist for reverse. Eight airbags including a driver's knee airbag are standard across the range.

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist standard on all trims
• Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance standard
• Lane Following Assist 2 standard
• Highway Driving Assist 2 on SX and SX Prestige
• 360-degree Surround View Monitor on SX and SX Prestige
• Eight airbags including a driver's knee airbag

A 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM and over-the-air system updates is standard on all five trims. Every Carnival also carries six USB-C charging ports, two in each row.

The SX and SX Prestige pair that touchscreen with a 12.3-inch curved instrument display, which is what Kia markets as the dual panoramic display, and they add Digital Key 2.0 and a pair of 115-volt outlets. The SX Prestige goes further with an 11-inch head-up display, Bose Premium Audio and a Full Display Mirror with HomeLink.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen standard on all five trims
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard
• 12.3-inch curved instrument display on SX and SX Prestige
• 11-inch head-up display on SX Prestige
• Bose Premium Audio on SX Prestige
• Six USB-C charging ports across three rows

Seating runs seven or eight depending on trim. The LX is a seven-seater with second-row captain's chairs standard, while the LXS, EX, SX and SX Prestige seat eight on a Slide-Flex second-row bench. Captain's chairs are newly available on the EX and SX for 2027.

Legroom measures 41.1 inches in front, 40.5 in the second row and 35.6 in the third, and the second-row seats slide and are removable on every trim. Heated front seats start at the LXS, ventilated front seats arrive on the SX, and the SX Prestige can be optioned with power VIP Lounge Seats that add heating, ventilation, leg extensions and a one-touch relaxation mode.

• Seats seven or eight depending on trim
• Second-row captain's chairs standard on LX
• Captain's chairs newly available on EX and SX for 2027
• 40.5 inches of second-row legroom
• Sliding and removable second-row seats on every trim
• VIP Lounge Seats available on SX Prestige

The Carnival measures 203.0 inches long on a 121.7-inch wheelbase and 78.5 inches wide, with 6.8 inches of ground clearance. Height runs 68.5 inches on the LX, LXS and EX, and 69.9 inches on the SX and SX Prestige, which add roof rails rated to carry 165 pounds.

Wheels step from 17-inch alloys on the LX and LXS to 19-inch alloys on the EX, SX and SX Prestige. Iceberg Green joins the palette for 2027 on the EX, SX and SX Prestige, alongside Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Ivory Silver, Ceramic Silver, Panthera Metal, Astra Blue and Deep Chroma Blue.

• 203.0 inches long on a 121.7-inch wheelbase
• 17-inch alloys on LX and LXS, 19-inch on EX and above
• Roof rails on SX and SX Prestige, rated to 165 lb
• Iceberg Green is new for 2027
• Dual power sliding doors
• Eight exterior colors offered