DecodedCarsHonda Odyssey vs Kia Carnival
2026 Honda Odyssey vs 2026 Kia Carnival — two minivans compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Kia Carnival is more fuel-efficient: 32 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $950 a year less in fuel for the Kia Carnival (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
The Honda Odyssey is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.
Across all model years since 2005, the Kia Carnival has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 46).
The two cars
The 2026 Honda Odyssey is a minivan offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive. It measures about 205 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,548 lb.
The 2026 Kia Carnival is a minivan offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 203 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,852 lb (HEV Minivan).
Buying used? The 2017 Odyssey and the 2024 Carnival have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 Odyssey and the 2022 Carnival.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Honda Odyssey if…
- You want more standard driver-assist tech
Choose the Kia Carnival if…
- You want lower fuel bills (32 vs 22 MPG)
- You want a hybrid or electric option
- You put reliability history first (7 vs 46 recalls since 2005)
Pros & cons of each
2026 Honda Odyssey
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 17% below the 2026 minivan average of 26.4 MPG.
2026 Kia Carnival
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 21% better than the average 2026 minivan (26.4 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Full 2026 Honda Odyssey specs →Full 2026 Kia Carnival specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →