Toyota Dislikes Kia's Family-Friendly Features

The Resurgence of Minivans in 2025

Minivans have been making a strong comeback in recent years, marking a return to their former glory. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, brands like Mazda, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC offered minivans that were incredibly popular. However, the rise of 3-row SUVs in the 2010s led to a decline in minivan sales, pushing them into near obscurity. Fast forward to 2025, and only four true minivans remain on the market: the Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica.

Each of these models has its own unique features and benefits. The Kia and Toyota offer mild hybrid options, while the Chrysler Pacifica is the only one with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. The Honda Odyssey sticks to traditional powertrains, offering a 3.5-liter V6 engine with front-wheel drive. The Toyota Sienna has the highest maximum price, while the Kia Carnival is considered the most economical choice across all trim levels.

Personal Experience with the Kia Carnival and Toyota Sienna

After testing both the Kia Carnival and the Toyota Sienna, I found myself leaning more toward the Kia. While many of my mom friends rave about the Sienna, I struggled to justify its nearly $70,000 price tag for the AWD hybrid Platinum model compared to the top-tier Carnival hybrid at $52,000. Additionally, after placing my two children in both vehicles, I felt the Kia was more family-friendly.

I haven’t tested the Chrysler Pacifica or Honda Odyssey yet, but it would be interesting to compare the most expensive option with the least expensive from a family perspective.

Key Features That Set the Kia Apart

One of the standout features of the Kia Carnival is its Passenger View feature. From the home screen, drivers can select this wide-angle camera that faces the second and third rows, displaying the image on the center screen. This feature is standard on the EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims. It offers excellent quality, with no blurriness or lag, and even switches to infrared when lighting is low. This makes it easy to check on toddlers who are seated facing forward, eliminating the need for baby mirrors on the back of the seats.

The Toyota Sienna doesn’t offer a passenger camera at all, even as an add-on. This lack of parent-centric features stood out to me, especially when comparing it to the Kia’s thoughtful design.

More Cargo Space and Better Interior Layout

Another aspect where the Kia Carnival excels is its cargo space. Even though the Sienna looks bigger on the outside, the interior layout of the Kia feels more efficiently utilized. Numerically, the Kia has more cargo space behind the third row (40.2 cubic feet vs. 33.5 cubic feet), and when the third row is not in use, it offers 86.9 cubic feet compared to the Sienna’s 75.2 cubic feet.

The middle seat in the Sienna can be folded into the floor, but it cannot be removed. Both vehicles offer tilt and slide seats for easier access to the third row, but the Sienna’s built-in fridge and vacuum take up significant floor space, making it harder to reach the third row than in the Kia.

Third Row Comfort and Visibility

Most parents choose minivans for the comfort and space of the third row. The Kia Carnival’s third row was significantly more kid-friendly than the Sienna’s. One of the first things I noticed was the large panoramic sunroof specific to the rear passengers. In the Sienna, the third row had limited visibility due to small windows close to the roof. In contrast, the Kia’s third row had larger windows that required their own sunshades, enhancing visibility and reducing the chances of car sickness for young passengers.

Both vehicles offer charging ports, cupholders, and cubbies for tablets or phones. However, I found the Kia’s third row seats to be more comfortable. Visibility is a crucial feature for long road trips, especially for children. Both models also have cabin connect features that allow front passengers to communicate with those in the third and second rows through updated speakers.

Final Thoughts

The Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival are both excellent choices for families. They come with a comprehensive list of safety features, high crash test ratings, and make parenting easier. I loved the Kia Carnival so much that I told my husband that when my Subaru dies, I want to replace it with the Carnival.

The hybrid version of the Kia averaged 35 mpg, which is better than the Sienna’s AWD model. I preferred the design language and open interior of the Kia, along with its built-in technology. The price point of the Kia was also more appealing. While the Toyota is known for reliability, Kia offers a much lower MSRP, more features, better technology, more cargo space, and a better warranty. These factors make the Kia Carnival a compelling choice for any family looking for a reliable and practical minivan.