New 2026 Honda Odyssey vs Kia Carnival in Lufkin, TX

The 2026 Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival are two of the most popular family-focused minivans on the market. Both offer seating for up to eight passengers, advanced safety technology, and modern interiors - but they shine in different ways. This comparison breaks down pricing, features, cargo space, technology, and safety to help you decide which minivan best fits your family's needs.

Pricing & Performance Comparison

2026 Honda Odyssey

  • Starting MSRP: $42,795

  • Fuel Economy: 19 city / 28 highway MPG

  • Towing Capacity: Up to 3,500 lbs

2026 Kia Carnival

  • Starting MSRP: $36,990

  • Fuel Economy: Varies by trim

  • Warranty: 10-year / 100,000-mile limited warranty

  
Comparison takeaway: The Carnival offers a lower starting price, while the Odyssey provides higher towing capability and a strong balance of performance and efficiency.

Seating, Comfort & Interior Features

Honda Odyssey Interior Highlights

  • Seating for up to 8 passengers

  • Leather-trimmed interior standard on all trims

  • Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats for easy access and flexible seating

  • Heated and ventilated front seats

  • Heated steering wheel

  • Tri-zone climate control

  • Integrated sunshades for second and third rows

  • One-touch power moonroof

Kia Carnival Interior Highlights

  • Seating for up to 8 passengers

  • Available VIP Lounge 2nd-row seats with recline, power footrests, heating, and ventilation

  • Sliding and folding 2nd-row middle seat that converts into a table

  • Available dual power sunroofs

  • Standard power-sliding side doors

  • Available power liftgate

Comparison takeaway: Odyssey focuses on family-friendly functionality, while Carnival leans into a more luxury-inspired second-row experience.

Cargo Space & Practicality

Honda Odyssey Cargo Capacity

  • Up to 158 cubic feet of total cargo space

  • Removable 2nd-row seats

  • One-motion 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat® that stows into the floor

  • All-season floor mats, cargo net, and seat covers available

Kia Carnival Cargo & Utility

  • Flexible seating configurations

  • Power sliding doors and liftgate for easy loading

  • Strong emphasis on passenger comfort over maximum cargo volume

Comparison takeaway: The Odyssey stands out for maximum cargo capacity and easy seat removal, making it ideal for families hauling gear, sports equipment, or road-trip luggage.

Technology & Entertainment

Honda Odyssey Technology

  • Available Rear Entertainment System with 12.8-inch screen

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™

  • CabinWatch® and CabinTalk® for keeping an eye on and communicating with rear passengers

  • Wireless phone charger

  • Remote engine start

Kia Carnival Technology

  • 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays with navigation

  • 11-inch Head-Up Display

  • Passenger View with Night Vision

  • Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror

  • Kia Connect and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio

Comparison takeaway: Odyssey excels at family communication and rear-seat entertainment, while Carnival delivers a more tech-forward, premium display experience.

Safety Features Comparison

Honda Odyssey Safety

  • Honda Sensing® Suite (standard)

  • Collision Mitigation Braking System™

  • Road Departure Mitigation System

  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow

  • Lane Keeping Assist System

  • Traffic Sign Recognition System

Kia Carnival Safety

  • Auto Emergency Braking Technologies

  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

  • Highway Driving Assist 2

  • Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go

Comparison takeaway: Both minivans offer advanced driver assistance features, with Honda emphasizing standardized safety across trims and Kia offering high-tech visual monitoring systems.

Trim Levels Comparison

2026 Honda Odyssey Trims

  • EX-L

  • Sport-L

  • Touring

  • Elite

2026 Kia Carnival Trims

  • LX

  • LXS

  • EX

  • SX

  • SX Prestige

Comparison takeaway: Carnival offers more trim variety, while Odyssey keeps the lineup streamlined with premium features standard across trims.

2026 Honda Odyssey vs Kia Carnival FAQs Near You

How much does the 2026 Honda Odyssey cost compared to the Kia Carnival?

The Odyssey starts at $42,795, while the Kia Carnival starts at $36,990, offering a more budget-friendly option.

Which minivan has better fuel efficiency?

The Odyssey delivers 19 city / 28 highway MPG, while the Carnival's fuel economy varies by trim. Odyssey generally offers slightly better efficiency for families on the go.

How many passengers can each minivan seat?

Both the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival seat up to 8 passengers, but the Odyssey features Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats, while the Carnival offers available VIP Lounge 2nd-row seats for added comfort.

Which minivan has more cargo space?

The Odyssey has up to 158 cubic feet of total cargo space with removable 2nd-row seats and a stowable 3rd-row Magic Seat®. Carnival focuses more on passenger comfort, offering flexible 2nd-row seating but slightly less maximum cargo volume.

What advanced technology features do each have?

Odyssey: Rear Entertainment System, CabinWatch®, CabinTalk®, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, 9-12.8 inch touchscreens.
Carnival: 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays, Head-Up Display, Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror, Passenger View with Night Vision, Kia Connect.

What safety features come standard?

Odyssey: Honda Sensing® Suite, Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition.
Carnival: Auto Emergency Braking, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, Highway Driving Assist 2, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go.

Which minivan has better warranty coverage?

The Kia Carnival offers a 10-year/100,000-mile limited warranty, while the Honda Odyssey comes with Honda's standard warranty coverage (3-year/36,000-mile basic, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain).

Can I test drive the Odyssey or Carnival locally?

Yes! Visit Loving Honda to test drive the 2026 Honda Odyssey and see firsthand how it compares to the Kia Carnival.

Explore the 2026 Honda Odyssey at Loving Honda in Lufkin, TX

If you're deciding between the 2026 Honda Odyssey and the Kia Carnival, seeing the Odyssey in person can make all the difference. Visit Loving Honda at 1701 S. Medford Dr. in Lufkin, TX to test drive the Odyssey, explore trim options, and review financing and trade-in opportunities. Loving Honda is ready to help our Lufkin, Livingston, Nacogdoches, Jasper, and Rusk customers drive away in the perfect Honda whether it's an Accord, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Odyssey or Pilot. Visit us today!


How Can We Help?

* Indicates a required field

DISCLAIMERS:

MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,495 destination charge, and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $455 charge for premium colors.

19 city/28 highway/22 combined mpg rating. Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.

Prices and colors may vary by trim. See your local dealer for more information.

iPhone® is not included. iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

Depending on use, Apple CarPlay can share certain user and vehicle information (e.g., vehicle location, speed, and other operating conditions) with the connected iPhone. See Apple's privacy policy for details regarding Apple's use and handling of data uploaded by CarPlay. Use of CarPlay is at user's own risk, and is subject to agreement to the CarPlay terms of use, which are included as part of the Apple iOS terms of use. CarPlay vehicle compatibility is provided "as is", and Honda cannot guarantee CarPlay operability or functionality now or in the future due to, among other conditions, changes in CarPlay software/Apple iOS, service interruptions, or incompatibility or obsolescence of vehicle-integrated hardware or software. See dealer for details. Only use CarPlay when conditions allow you to do so safely. Apple CarPlay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

Google, Android, Android Auto, YouTube Music and other marks are trademarks of Google LLC. Wireless use of Android Auto requires a compatible Android 11.0+ phone and compatible active data plan. Check g.co/androidauto/requirements for compatibility.

Honda reminds you to properly secure cargo items and follow all applicable load limits and loading guidelines.

Based on SAE J1100 cargo volume measurement standard plus, where applicable, floor space between seating rows, and seats in their forward-most and upright position.

Honda reminds you to properly secure cargo items and follow all applicable load limits and loading guidelines.

Depending on use, Apple CarPlay can share certain user and vehicle information (e.g., vehicle location, speed, and other operating conditions) with the connected iPhone. See Apple's privacy policy for details regarding Apple's use and handling of data uploaded by CarPlay. Use of CarPlay is at user's own risk, and is subject to agreement to the CarPlay terms of use, which are included as part of the Apple iOS terms of use. CarPlay vehicle compatibility is provided "as is", and Honda cannot guarantee CarPlay operability or functionality now or in the future due to, among other conditions, changes in CarPlay software/Apple iOS, service interruptions, or incompatibility or obsolescence of vehicle-integrated hardware or software. See dealer for details. Only use CarPlay when conditions allow you to do so safely. Apple CarPlay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

CMBS cannot detect all objects ahead and may not detect a given object; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed, and other factors. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. System designed to mitigate crash forces. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.

Road Departure Mitigation only alerts the driver when lane drift is detected without a turn signal in use and can apply mild steering torque to assist driver in maintaining proper lane position or to slow the vehicle's departure from a detected lane. RDM may not detect all lane markings or lane departures; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed, and road condition. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.

ACC with Low-Speed Follow cannot detect all objects ahead and may not detect a given object; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed, and other factors. ACC should not be used in heavy traffic, poor weather, or on winding roads. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.

LKAS only assists driver in maintaining proper lane position when lane markings are identified without a turn signal in use and can only apply mild steering torque to assist. The system may not detect all lane markings; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed, and road condition. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.

TSR cannot detect all traffic signs, may misidentify certain signs and does not include any braking or speed control functions. Accuracy will vary based on weather and other factors. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for complying with all traffic regulations.