2026 Kia Carnival Prices Barely Budge In The Face Of Tariffs

With the Trump administration’s car import tariffs hanging overhead, we’ve been waiting to see what happens to car prices. Some automakers have already said that prices will increase, and others seem likely. We should start seeing the results of these tariffs now that we’re entering new model year season. In the case of the Kia Carnival, which is built in South Korea, the good news is that it’s barely any more expensive than before.

A Tiny Price Bump Across The Line

Every single version of the Kia Carnival went up in price by just $190. That includes every trim level as well as the standard gas and available hybrid models. This is more in keeping with a normal annual price increase, rather than for a vehicle that is now subject to a 25% tariff. You can find the full price list below (hybrid Carnival trims are denoted by “HEV”). Prices given are the MSRP without the additional $1,435 destination charge. Even with the added destination charge, Kia can still lay claim to having the cheapest minivan on the market, although the Toyota Sienna still has the cheapest hybrid minivan crown.

The Carnival Is Otherwise Unchanged

That small price increase is the only change to the Carnival. The styling remains the same, and so does the feature list. The standard Carnival comes with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 making 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive, and it returns 21 mpg combined. The hybrid version has a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor making 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It has a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, and it manages 33 mpg combined.

Inside, all Carnivals come with three-zone automatic climate control, remote start, power sliding doors, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LXS trim, which is the base trim for the hybrid, adds heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver seat, and leatherette upholstery. Standard safety features for the Carnival include automatic front and rear emergency braking, blind-spot warning and avoidance, parking sensors, lane-keep assist and centering, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function. Exact timing for when 2026 Carnivals will hit dealers hasn’t been given, but we would expect them to arrive within the next few months.