Odyssey vs Carnival
The Odyssey and the Carnival sit in the same minivan class, but Honda and Kia don’t always agree on what matters most. The Carnival has the edge in 2 of the 5 areas we looked at, most visibly in the space & practicality category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range Odyssey wins
- Space & Practicality Carnival wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Carnival wins
- Engine & Performance5.0
- Fuel Economy & Range1.4
- Space & Practicality5.8
- Off-road & Towing0.0
- Engine & Performance6.2
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Space & Practicality9.8
- Off-road & Towing0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Carnival has 23% more cargo space
Not a close call. The Carnival lists 40.2 cu ft and the Odyssey lists 32.8 cu ft. That’s a substantial gap. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
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The Carnival has a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen
Among all the differences on this page, 12.3 in against 9 in is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Carnival. The Carnival’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
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The Odyssey has better highway fuel economy
The Odyssey has a modest edge on fuel economy (highway): 28 mpg against 26 mpg for the Carnival. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
-
The Odyssey has better city fuel economy
It’s a small lead (19 mpg versus 18 mpg), but it’s real, and it goes to the Odyssey. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Odyssey starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 205.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.5 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.6 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 118.1 in | 121.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t engine & performance. Both cover engine & performance well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Fuel Economy & Range
Odyssey leads
On fuel economy & range, the Odyssey comes out slightly ahead. The Odyssey gives you better highway fuel economy. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds. If this section decides it for you, choose the Odyssey.
Fuel economy (highway)
Odyssey: 28 mpg Carnival: 26 mpg The Odyssey uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Fuel economy (city)
Odyssey: 19 mpg Carnival: 18 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Carnival leads
For space & practicality, the verdict is easy: the Carnival leads, and not by a little. Point to the Carnival for 23% more cargo space. The Carnival’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. Bottom line for space & practicality: the Carnival has the edge.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Odyssey: 32.8 cu ft Carnival: 40.2 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. Don’t let off-road & towing decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Safety & Tech
Carnival leads
If you’re keeping score, the safety & tech point goes narrowly to the Carnival. The Carnival makes its case with a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read. That makes the Carnival the natural choice for buyers focused on safety & tech.
Largest touchscreen
Odyssey: 9 in Carnival: 12.3 in A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
| Total system output | 280 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 269 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | 21 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg (winner) | 18 mpg Thirstiest in the city |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 28 mpg (winner) | 26 mpg Thirstiest on the highway |
| Fuel tank | 19.5 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 8 seats | 8 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 32.8 cu ft | 40.2 cu ft (winner) Biggest cargo area |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 140.7 cu ft | 145.1 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 9 in | 12.3 in (winner) |
| Driver-assist suite | Honda Sensing | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 205.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.5 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.6 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 118.1 in | 121.7 in |
Price
| Spec | Odyssey | Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $42,795 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Odyssey if…
- you cover long highway distances (28 mpg vs 26 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (19 mpg vs 18 mpg)
- you’re loyal to Honda and happy with it
Choose the Carnival if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (40.2 cu ft vs 32.8 cu ft)
- you rely on navigation and phone mirroring on a larger display (12.3 in vs 9 in)
- you already know your way around Kia’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Odyssey or the Carnival?
The Carnival makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you specifically want better highway fuel economy, where the Odyssey has the edge.
Executive Summary
The Odyssey and the Carnival come from rival camps, Honda and Kia, but they’re chasing the same person: you. To me, the standout is that the Carnival offers 23% more cargo space. Stack a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen on top of that, and the Carnival’s lead grows. That said, the Odyssey answers with better highway fuel economy, which some people will value more.
If your days lean on fuel economy & range, I’d pick the Odyssey; if they lean on space & practicality, the Carnival.
My pick: the Carnival gets my vote, but the Odyssey is the right call if you’d trade the rest for better highway fuel economy.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.