2025 Honda Odyssey vs 2025 Kia Carnival

$42,220 · Minivan

$36,800 · Minivan

Comparison Overview

The battle for family supremacy pits the polished 2025 Honda Odyssey against the stylish 2025 Kia Carnival. The Odyssey excites with a slightly more robust 280 horsepower propelling its substantial 205.2-inch frame through a sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission, achieving 22 MPG combined. Conversely, the Carnival flaunts its aggressive SUV styling while delivering a marginally higher 287 horsepower, though it sticks to an 8-speed automatic, netting 21 MPG combined. The sticker price reveals a massive $5,420 gap, with the Carnival starting significantly lower at $36,800 versus the Odyssey's $42,220 entry point. Furthermore, the Carnival offers substantially more utility, boasting 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Odyssey’s 32.8 cubic feet, making practicality a clear contender against Honda’s renowned refinement and driving assurance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Honda Odyssey

The 2025 Honda Odyssey offers superior fuel efficiency for daily driving with 22 MPG combined versus the Carnival's 21 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Carnival

The 2025 Kia Carnival provides significantly more usable space, offering 40.2 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Odyssey's 32.8 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Carnival

The 2025 Kia Carnival edges out the competition by producing a higher peak output of 287 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Carnival

The 2025 Kia Carnival commands better immediate value with a starting MSRP nearly $5,420 less than the Honda Odyssey.

Choose the Honda Odyssey if...

You prioritize smoother shifts and highway cruising thanks to the Odyssey's 10-speed automatic transmission.
You value the reputation of Honda engineering and slightly better fuel economy at 19/28 MPG city/highway.
You prefer the proven, substantial footprint provided by the Odyssey's 205.2-inch length.

Choose the Kia Carnival if...

Saving money upfront is crucial, as the Carnival has a $5,420 lower MSRP.
You require maximum hauling capability, as the Carnival offers 40.2 cu ft of cargo volume.
You want the peak horsepower number, as the Carnival delivers 287 hp versus the Odyssey's 280 hp.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Odyssey	Kia Carnival
Length	205.2"	203.0"
Width	78.5"	78.5"
Height	69.6"	68.5"
Wheelbase	118.1"	121.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 6000 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	24
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Kia
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/28 MPG	18/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.5/546.0 mi.	342.0/494.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 gal.	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	160W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	38.7 in.	40.9 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	63.1 in.	64.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.6 in.	59.8 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.2 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.9 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.6 in.	63.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	64.8 in.	66.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Third Row Seats Folds Into Floor	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R	P235/65R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Size	—	17 x 6.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Odyssey and 2025 Kia Carnival.

What is the main difference in power delivery between the two minivans?

The 2025 Kia Carnival technically produces more power with 287 horsepower, but the 2025 Honda Odyssey utilizes a more advanced 10-speed automatic transmission to manage its 280 horsepower, which can lead to smoother acceleration profiles.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for long highway trips?

The 2025 Honda Odyssey is slightly more frugal, achieving 28 MPG on the highway compared to the 2025 Kia Carnival's 26 MPG highway rating.

If I need to carry a lot of gear, which minivan is superior?

The 2025 Kia Carnival clearly wins on pure cargo volume, offering an impressive 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row, significantly eclipsing the Odyssey’s 32.8 cubic feet.

Is the performance difference between the two noticeable in real-world driving?

While the Carnival has more horsepower (287 hp vs 280 hp), the Odyssey’s extra torque (262 lb-ft vs 260 lb-ft) and better transmission pairing mean the driving experience is competitively close, though enthusiasts might favor the Carnival's higher peak output.

How significant is the price gap between the 2025 Odyssey and the 2025 Carnival?

There is a substantial $5,420 MSRP difference separating the two models, making the Kia Carnival the definitive budget-friendly choice right off the lot.

Are the physical dimensions vastly different for maneuvering in parking lots?

They are similarly sized, but the Carnival is slightly smaller overall; it is 2.2 inches shorter in length (203.0 vs 205.2 inches) and 1.1 inches shorter in height (68.5 vs 69.6 inches) than the Odyssey.