Kia Carnival MPG by year — every rating on record
The Kia Carnival has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2022 to 2027. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2022) and its thirstiest returned 21 mpg (2025). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minivan - 2WD.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #6 of 6 (0th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD |
| 2023 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #6 of 6 (0th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD |
| 2024 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #6 of 6 (0th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD |
| 2025 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #8 of 8 (0th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD |
| 2026 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #7 of 7 (0th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD |
| 2027 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #3 of 3 (0th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Kia Carnival placed highest in 2027 at #3 of 3, and lowest in 2025 at #8 of 8. It spent 0 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI & PFI | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 428 | 4/10 |
| 2026 | 3.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI & PFI | 18 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 428 | 4/10 |
| 2025 | 3.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI & PFI | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 426 | 4/10 |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI & PFI | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 408 | 5/10 |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI & PFI | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 408 | 5/10 |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI & PFI | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 407 | 5/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 → 2025 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
What Carnival fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2027 Kia Carnival burns 548 to 548 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,643 | $1,643 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $1,917 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,190 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2027 model year is $2,950 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Minivan - 2WD
Across the 36 nameplates EPA classifies as Minivan - 2WD, the median best combined rating is 20 mpg. At 21 mpg the Kia Carnival is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $96 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Minivan - 2WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Kia nameplates
Every Kia model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.