Toyota Sienna vs Kia Carnival: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Sienna is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,810 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Sienna, 36 MPG combined), against $2,010 for the Kia Carnival (Carnival Hybrid, 32 MPG combined). That is $200 a year, or $1,000 over five years.
One of the two is offered only with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain in this model year; the other has gasoline configurations. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Minivans
Toyota Sienna
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Sienna
$12.07 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
2 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Minivans
Kia Carnival
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Carnival Hybrid
$13.40 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
2 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota Sienna$1,810 a year · $12.07 per 100 mi
- Kia Carnival$2,010 a year · $13.40 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$200
Toyota Sienna costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,000
$200 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Sienna | Kia Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Sienna | Carnival Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 36 MPG (better) | 32 MPG |
| City rating | 36 MPG (better) | 34 MPG |
| Highway rating | 36 MPG (better) | 31 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,810/yr (better) | $2,010/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $12.07 (better) | $13.40 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,810–$1,860 | $2,010–$3,140 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 2 | 2 |
| EPA class | Minivans | Minivans |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Sienna | Kia Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Not offered in MY2026 | 21 MPG · $3,140/yr Carnival |
| Hybrid | 36 MPG · $1,810/yr Sienna | 32 MPG · $2,010/yr Carnival Hybrid |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Toyota Sienna
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,810 vs $2,010
- Higher combined rating: 36 MPG vs 32 MPG
- Higher city rating: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 36 MPG vs 31 MPG
Kia Carnival
- Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Sienna does not
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Sienna | Kia Carnival | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 35–36 MPG | $1,810–$1,860 | 21–32 MPG | $2,010–$3,140 |
| 2025 | 35–36 MPG | $1,810–$1,860 | 21–33 MPG | $2,010–$3,120 |
| 2024 | 35–36 MPG | $1,810–$1,870 | 22 MPG | $2,970 |
| 2023 | 35–36 MPG | $1,810–$1,860 | 22 MPG | $2,970 |
| 2022 | 35–36 MPG | $1,810–$1,870 | 22 MPG | $2,970 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Sienna or the Kia Carnival?
The Toyota Sienna is cheaper: about $1,810 a year against $2,010 for the Kia Carnival, a difference of $200 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota Sienna save over five years?
About $1,000 ($200 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Sienna or the Kia Carnival?
The Toyota Sienna is rated 36 MPG combined against 32 MPG for the Kia Carnival. City: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 31 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Toyota Sienna and the Kia Carnival in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Minivans.