Kia Carnival Trim Levels Explained: A Guide to Every 2027 Gas and Hybrid Trim

What Is the Kia Carnival?

The Kia Carnival is a three-row minivan that Kia calls an MPV, short for multi-purpose vehicle. It pairs SUV-inspired styling with sliding doors and room for up to eight people. Kia offers it with a V6 gas engine or a turbo hybrid.

This guide covers the 2027 Kia Carnival, the current model year at Greenway Kia of Franklin. Every detail comes from Kia’s 2027 media materials, specification sheets and feature charts.

How Many Trim Levels Does the 2027 Kia Carnival Have?

The 2027 Kia Carnival has nine trims: five gas and four hybrid. The gas lineup is LX, LXS, EX, SX and SX Prestige. The hybrid lineup is LXS, EX, SX and SX Prestige.

Gas or Hybrid: Which Carnival Powertrain Should You Choose?

Choose the gas V6 for stronger towing and the hybrid for better fuel economy. The 3.5-liter V6 makes 287 horsepower, pairs with an 8-speed automatic and tows up to 3,500 pounds with a braked trailer. Kia estimates 21 mpg combined for the gas Carnival.

The 1.6-liter turbo hybrid produces 242 combined horsepower and 270.5 lb.-ft. of torque. The EPA rates the 2027 Carnival Hybrid at 34 city/32 highway/33 combined mpg. Its braked towing rating is 2,500 pounds. Confirm towing and mileage figures on the window sticker of the specific vehicle.

Carnival Trim Levels Explained

Each Carnival trim builds on the one below it. Here is what you get as you move up.

LX

The LX is the entry gas trim and the only Carnival with seven-passenger seating as standard. It includes 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Hands-free smart power sliding doors come standard, along with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, Highway Driving Assist and Safe Exit Assist.

LXS

The LXS moves to eight-passenger seating with a flexible middle second-row seat that slides and folds into a table. It adds SynTex artificial leather seats, heated front seats and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The LXS is also the first trim where the hybrid becomes available.

EX

The EX is the family favorite for comfort and convenience. It adds 19-inch alloy wheels, second- and third-row sunshade blinds, an 8-way power passenger seat and a driver’s memory seat. A 15-watt wireless charger and a hands-free Smart Power Tailgate also arrive.

The EX adds cabin-friendly tech, too. A cabin camera shows second- and third-row passengers on screen, and a cabin intercom projects front-seat voices to the back rows. Quiet Mode turns off the rear speakers so little ones can sleep.

SX

The SX is the tech-forward trim. It adds dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays, ventilated front seats and two 115-volt power inverters. Driver aids step up with Highway Driving Assist 2, a Surround View Monitor, a Blind-Spot View Monitor and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse. LED fog lamps and rain-sensing wipers round out the list.

SX Prestige

The SX Prestige is the flagship. It adds dual LED projection headlights, a digital rearview mirror, leather seat trim and a heated steering wheel. A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system is standard. Second-row VIP Lounge Seats with one-touch relaxation mode are available.

What Safety Features Come Standard on Every Carnival?

Every 2027 Carnival trim includes a strong set of standard driver-assistance features. According to Kia’s 2027 release and feature chart, standard equipment includes:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist to help prevent front impacts.
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance for lane changes and parking lots.
• Lane Following Assist 2 and Lane Keeping Assist to help keep you centered.
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go for highway traffic.
• Rear Occupant Alert with a radar sensor and Safe Exit Assist, two features parents appreciate.

Higher trims add more, such as the Surround View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist 2 on the SX and SX Prestige.

Kia Carnival Seating: 7 or 8 Passengers?

The Carnival seats seven or eight depending on trim and configuration. Kia’s 2027 feature chart shows:

• LX: Seven-passenger seating is standard.
• LXS: Eight-passenger seating is standard.
• EX, SX and SX Prestige: Eight-passenger seating is standard, and seven-passenger seating is available.

For 2027, Kia makes second-row captain’s chairs available on the EX and SX. That makes it easier to walk back to the third row. Hybrid trims follow the same pattern, with eight seats standard and seven available on the EX, SX and SX Prestige.

What Is New for the 2027 Kia Carnival?

Kia made a handful of focused updates for 2027:

• Captain’s chairs: Second-row captain’s chairs are now available on EX and SX trims.
• Dark Edition: The Dark Edition Package now extends to the EX trim.
• New color: Iceberg Green joins the palette for EX, SX and SX Prestige, replacing Flare Red.
• Rear-seat entertainment: It is now offered only on the Hybrid SX Prestige with VIP Lounge Seats.

How Much Cargo Space Does the Kia Carnival Have?

The 2027 Kia Carnival offers 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space at minimum and up to 145.1 cubic feet at maximum, according to Kia’s SAE figures. Second-row seats are removable on versions without VIP Lounge Seats. That flexibility helps with moving day, sports gear or a big warehouse-store run.

The Carnival also has strong quality credentials. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study, the 2026 Kia Carnival ranked highest in the minivan segment.

Which Carnival Trim Is the Best Value?

For most families, the EX is the best value. It brings power seats for both front passengers, sunshades, the cabin camera and intercom, wireless charging and a hands-free tailgate. Families who want the best fuel economy can get the same trim as an EX Hybrid. The EX is also the first trim where the new captain’s chairs and the Dark Edition Package become available, so you can tailor it to your family.

See the 2027 Carnival at Greenway Kia of Franklin

Greenway Kia of Franklin serves families throughout the Nashville area, including Brentwood, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro and Madison. Browse our new Kia Carnival inventory or the Carnival Hybrid. For a closer look at the cabin, read our Kia Carnival interior guide.

You can also explore all new vehicle inventory, get a trade-in value estimate or apply for financing. Visit us at 1413 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin, call sales at 615-538-1124, or contact our team to test drive a 2027 Kia Carnival. Confirm features and seating on the window sticker of any specific vehicle.

About the Author

This guide was prepared by the sales team at Greenway Kia of Franklin, a Kia dealership at 1413 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN 37067, serving families throughout the Nashville area, including Brentwood, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro and Madison. Trim and specification details come from Kia America’s media site, with fuel economy from the EPA, as listed below.

References

Kia Media – 2027 Kia Carnival Overview (pricing release) — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/carnival/2027 (2027 gas and hybrid trims; what is new for 2027)

Kelley Blue Book: 2027 Kia Carnival Sees Only Minor Price Bump — https://www.kbb.com/car-news/2027-kia-carnival-sees-only-minor-price-bump/ (Gas and hybrid trim list; 2027 changes (captain’s chairs on EX/SX, rear entertainment on Hybrid SX Prestige, colors))

Kia Media – 2027 Carnival Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/carnival/2027/specifications (287 hp V6, 3,500 lb. braked towing, 21 mpg combined estimate, cargo volume)

Kia Media – 2027 Carnival Features & Options — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/carnival/2027/features (Standard equipment and seating by trim)

Kia Media – 2027 Carnival HEV Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/carnival-hev/2027/specifications (242 combined hp, 270.5 lb.-ft., 2,500 lb. braked towing)

Kia Media – 2027 Carnival HEV Features & Options — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/carnival-hev/2027/features (Hybrid seating by trim)

EPA fueleconomy.gov – 2026-2027 Kia Carnival — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2026&year2=2027&make=Kia&baseModel=Carnival&srchtyp=ymm (2027 Carnival Hybrid 34/32/33 mpg)

Hyundai Motor Group newsroom: Kia Carnival and K4 Models Named Segment Winners in J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study — https://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com/en/news/kia-carnival-and-k4-models-named-segment-winners-in–jd-power-2026-us-initial-quality-study-iqs (2026 Carnival highest in Minivan segment; K4 highest in Compact Car segment)