A Knoxville Buyer’s Guide to the 2027 Kia Carnival

The minivan segment might not be the industry’s largest—with just five models—but that doesn’t make the Kia Carnival’s accomplishments any less impressive. The 2027 Carnival offers the most passenger space in its class, along with one of the largest infotainment displays and the most powerful engines.

While you might expect those sorts of superlatives to come at a premium, the Carnival is also the most affordable minivan on the market and the only one to retail for less than $40,000. Throw in more than 145 cu.ft. of cargo space, premium tech, and one of the segment’s only hybrid powertrains, and it’s easy to see how the Kia Carnival has become the go-to choice for today’s busy families.

The 2027 model remains largely unchanged following a full mid-cycle refresh back in 2025, but there’s still plenty to catch up on when it comes to choosing the perfect Kia Carnival for sale in Knoxville. Join us as we climb the Carnival’s trim ladder, compare different options, and learn how Kia has managed to make such a strong case for the modern minivan.

The LX Trim

Powertrain: Gas

The 2027 Carnival’s entry-level LX trim isn’t just the most affordable option in the minivan segment; it also packs plenty of value, with a potent powertrain and a full slate of family-friendly features. A reliable 3.5L V6 engine allows the Carnival to produce 287 hp while still achieving up to 26 MPG on the highway. While it’s no match for the available hybrid powertrain in terms of efficiency, the LX offers a well-rounded minivan primed for domestic duty.

This minivan’s hands-free power-sliding side doors make for easy entry and egress, and it’s easy to stream your favorite audio content or field a call when you’re behind the wheel, thanks to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. However, it’s the Carnival LX’s impressive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that really allows owners to enjoy a confident driving experience.

From forward collision warning with automatic braking and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning to an adaptive cruise control system, parking sensors, and a safe exit assist function that helps prevent rear passengers from stepping out onto a busy road, the LX always puts safety first.

The LXS Trim

Powertrain: Gas or Hybrid

The LXS is where the 2027 Carnival’s available hybrid powertrain comes into play, making this trim tough to ignore if you’re looking for an eco-friendly ride with low operating costs. While drivers can stick with the gas engine, the turbocharged hybrid system provides almost as much power while saving some serious cash at the pump.

Choose the hybrid powertrain, and you’ll be able to experience an EPA-estimated 32 MPG on the highway and 34 MPG in the city. While the exact savings depend on your driving habits, most Knoxville drivers will save about $1,000 a year compared to the V6-powered version.

The LXS also makes some notable upgrades in terms of comfort, including synthetic leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. This trim also ups the minivan’s capacity to eight passengers thanks to a sliding and removable middle seat in the second row.

The Carnival doesn’t just offer seating for up to eight passengers; it’s also the roomiest minivan on the market for 2027. With 168.2 cu.ft. of passenger space, no model can match the dimensions of the Kia Carnival. That said, it’s the way the minivan utilizes this space—not its sheer size—that really makes it such a standout.

The EX Trim

Powertrain: Gas or Hybrid

Automation is everywhere you look in the EX, with this trim boasting a hands-free power liftgate and power-folding mirrors in addition to its standard hands-free power-sliding side doors. These features can prove useful when you’re loaded with groceries or trying to nestle into a tight parking spot—but it’s the 2027 Carnival EX’s impressive audio-visual resume that really seals the deal.

The latest Carnival offers the largest touchscreen infotainment display in the minivan segment, at 12.3 inches, along with an eight-speaker sound system on this trim (up from a six-speaker setup on lower trims). If you want to enjoy your favorite playlist or podcast, but you’re worried about waking sleepy riders, Quiet Mode limits the audio system to the front row.

The 2027 Carnival also offers parents clever ways to keep tabs on their kids. Passenger View provides parents with a live feed of the second and third rows right on the dashboard infotainment display. If you spot a little tension between siblings, or just need to make yourself heard for third-row passengers, tap the Passenger Talk icon, and your voice will be projected to all rear riders.

The SX Trim

Powertrain: Gas or Hybrid

The SX represents a major step up in terms of convenience and in-cabin technology. While every 2027 Carnival trim is refreshingly well-equipped, the SX probably represents the best choice for those who appreciate a premium take on the minivan formula. This trim offers all the trappings of a luxury model, including a dual-pane sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a 115-volt power outlet to keep all your electronics charged up and ready to go.

Every Carnival is equipped with automatic LED headlights, but the SX adds LED foglights and a few other safety-enhancing features. Front cross-traffic warning and advanced automatic emergency braking both enter the picture at the SX trim level, as does an upgraded adaptive cruise control system and a surround-view camera system with an included blind-spot camera.

Do you want to set your Carnival apart from the rest of the school pick-up line? The SX Dark Edition Package sees this trim adopt some aggressive styling cues, including 19-inch dark alloy wheels, black exterior accents, leather upholstery, and upgraded LED headlights. A head-up display allows drivers to track key data without taking their eyes off the road, while the 12-speaker Bose premium sound system delivers a high-end listening experience.

The SX Prestige Trim

Powertrain: Gas or Hybrid

Kia has pulled out all the stops when it comes to the 2027 Carnival’s top SX Prestige trim. Available with either the gas or hybrid powertrain, the SX Prestige includes all the best features from the rest of the trim ladder, plus a few cutting-edge components designed to elevate your daily driving experience.

Leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and the 12-speaker Bose premium sound system lend this trim a touch of class, but the SX Prestige doesn’t stop there. It can be tough to get a clear view of the road when your rear cargo area is loaded with luggage, groceries, or half of a youth soccer team, but Kia has engineered around the issue with a digital rearview mirror.

This trim can also be optioned with an available SX Prestige Seat Package, which transforms the second row with heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable reclining lounge seats with integrated footrests and ambient cabin lighting. The SX Prestige Seat Package does reduce the Carnival’s capacity down to seven passengers, but that’s a small price to pay for the sort of luxury these lounge seats can add.

The SX Prestige also includes one feature that’s sure to promote a little harmony (or at least minimize sibling squabbles) during long family road trips: an available rear-seat entertainment system, whose two 14.6-inch displays turn the second row into a media room on wheels. This system is compatible with popular streaming apps like YouTube and Netflix, and it also lets users stream from their devices or enjoy a little on-the-go gaming around Knoxville thanks to built-in HDMI ports.

The 2027 Carnival Comes to Town!

The latest Kia Carnival is here to prove that practicality isn’t the be-all, end-all in the minivan segment. While it provides all of the passenger and cargo space that long made minivans so popular among parents, the 2027 Carnival’s tech-forward appeal and modern design mean you don’t have to miss out on the finer things in life.

A compelling combination of features, performance, and price makes the latest Carnival a notable bargain in the segment, and it provides the sort of flexibility that few minivans can match. Whether it’s safety, cabin tech, or fuel economy that tops your list of must-have features, the 2027 Carnival has you covered.

The LX trim can’t be beat in terms of price, and the SX Prestige manages to integrate some surprisingly premium features while keeping the MSRP well within range of the average driver. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when you’re in the market for a new family minivan, but with five trims to choose from, it should only take a quick test drive at Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville to find the right 2027 Carnival.