The 2027 Carnival Hybrid pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid system with the eight-seat, power-sliding-door layout families already like about the gas Carnival, and the EPA rates it at 33 mpg combined.
It went on sale recently and is available at H+H Kia in Omaha.
If you’ve been cross-shopping minivans and three-row SUVs, here is what changed, what it costs, and who it actually suits.
The quick take
- Fuel economy: 34 city / 32 highway / 33 combined mpg, a big step up for a van this size
- Power: 242 hp and 271 lb-ft from the hybrid system, front-wheel drive only
- Seating: Standard eight-passenger layout, with second-row captain’s chairs now available on EX and SX
- Trims: LXS, EX, SX and SX Prestige
Under the hood: a 1.6L turbo hybrid that rates 33 mpg
Kia pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic, and sends everything to the front wheels. The combined output is 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, and it runs on regular gas.
The EPA rates it at 34 mpg city, 32 highway and 33 combined, with a 19-gallon tank. That works out to roughly 600 miles on a tank at the combined rating, which is our math rather than an EPA figure.
| Spec | 2027 Carnival Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid |
| Output | 242 hp / 271 lb-ft (system) |
| Transmission | Six-speed automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive only |
| EPA fuel economy | 34 city / 32 hwy / 33 combined mpg |
| Fuel tank | 19 gal, regular unleaded |
| Length / wheelbase | 203 in / 121.7 in |
| Curb weight | 4,852 lb |
| Ground clearance | 6.8 in |
| Towing | Up to 2,500 lb when properly equipped |
What that means day to day:
- City driving is where the hybrid earns its keep. The 34 mpg city number beats the highway figure, which is typical for hybrids that recover energy under braking.
- Fewer fill-ups. For a family that logs school runs, practices and weekend trips, the savings add up over a year of driving.
- Winter traction deserves a thought. There is no AWD version, so buyers in snowy states should budget for good tires.