Minivans are quite simply the best method of transporting a family with three to six children. Their sliding doors, low step-in height, and third-row seating that you can actually use make them the ultimate in practicality. This class only consists of four offerings and two of them were refreshed for the 2025 model year — the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey.
Let’s compare these two minivans and see which is right for your family.
2025 Kia Carnival
You may remember it as the Sedona, but Kia’s minivan was rebranded as the Carnival in 2022. Now, in 2025, it gets a glow-up that includes an aesthetic refresh, a new infotainment system, and its first-ever hybrid powertrain as an option. Pricing starts at $38,235.
Kia Carnival Highlights
More cargo space: If you’re shopping for a minivan, space is important to you. The Kia Carnival boasts a whopping 145.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row. The Odyssey has a lot of cargo space, too, but the Carnival has even more.
Hybrid option: The Kia Carnival has a new hybrid option for 2025. It’s a conventional hybrid with no plugging-in required, returning up to 33 combined mpg. Meanwhile, the Honda Odyssey is the only minivan in its class that’s not available with a hybrid powertrain.
Better warranty: The Kia Carnival has unbeatable warranty coverage in the minivan segment. It’s covered by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Read our Kia Carnival Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Carnival models for sale near you.
2025 Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey has long served as one of America’s favorite minivans. Now in its fifth and longest-running generation, the Odyssey endures for its blend of practicality, comfort, dependability, and, yes, even style that’s hard to imitate. Pricing starts at $43,670.
Honda Odyssey Highlights
Magic Slide seats: A family-friendly feature exclusive to the Honda Odyssey is Magic Slide second-row seats. These captain’s chairs can slide sideways into “Buddy Mode” to make third-row access effortless. We’ve tested it with child car seats installed, and it’s awesome.
Removable middle seat: With the aforementioned Magic Slide second seat, you get a removable middle seat for the second row. That means the Odyssey can seat up to eight people while still having second-row captain’s chairs when that middle seat is removed. This adds to the Odyssey’s versatility.
Bigger third row: The Kia Carnival may have more cargo room, but the Honda Odyssey has 2.5 inches more third-row legroom. That might not sound like a lot, but trust us, your third-row passengers will thank you for going with the Odyssey, especially on long drives.
Read our Honda Odyssey Expert Review or see 2025 Honda Odyssey models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival both have a standard V6 under the hood, and their performance and efficiency ratings are very similar. They also both come exclusively with front-wheel drive (FWD).
Pricing
Used Prices
|
Original MSRP
|
Fair Purchase Price (54650)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
TBD |
TBD |
|||
TBD |
TBD |
|||
TBD |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Carnival vehicles and New 2025 Honda Odyssey vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia Carnival | 2025 Honda Odyssey | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 287 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 18 city/26 highway/21 combined mpg | 19 city/28 highway/22 combined mpg |
| Also Available | Hybrid | |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 121.7 inches | 118.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 203.0 inches | 205.2 inches |
| Width | 78.5 inches | 78.5 inches |
| Height | 68.5 inches | 69.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.7 feet | 36.7 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.5 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 38.6 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.5 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 35.6 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 64.2 inches | 63.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 63.2 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 59.5 inches | 60.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 40.2/86.9/145.1 cubic feet | 32.8/86.6/140.7 cubic feet |
Conclusion
These are two very good minivans, so the right one for you depends on your priorities. If you like the idea of switching from a seven-seater to an eight-seater and want a more comfortable third row that’s easier to access, the Honda Odyssey is better. However, if hybrid efficiency, a longer warranty, or a lower starting price are more important, then the Kia Carnival is your winner. Either way, we must warn you: once you’re in the minivan club, you’ll be hooked.
