When you are shopping for a minivan, you are looking for something that has ample space (for passengers, cargo, or both), versatility in the form of adaptable seating and cargo areas, and reliability. The minivan class has plenty to choose from, but there are two minivans that stand out from the rest: The 2022 Kia Carnival and the 2022 Toyota Sienna. Both of these minivans have plenty to appreciate in terms of technology, convenience, and dependability, but which one is the better choice? To help you make an informed decision about the Toyota Sienna and its class-leading features, our Westbury Toyota staff have written up a short but thorough comparison guide displaying the pros and cons of each of these minivans.

Specs and Mileage

The 2022 Sienna underwent an all-new redesign in 2021 and the 2022 version is largely unchanged from that redesign. It is equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System, which allows the hybrid battery pack to charge while the minivan is being driven. The Sienna comes with one engine option, a 2.5 liter (L) four-cylinder gas engine and two electric motors located at the front and rear. In terms of fuel economy, the Sienna is exceptional, coming in at 36 miles per gallon (mpg) in city, highway, and combined driving, which is far better than that of rivals in the minivan class that are sporting a V6 engine.

The Sienna LE comes with front-wheel drive (FWD), but the XSE and Woodland Edition come with the Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. There is only a slight difference in fuel economy between FWD and AWD versions, with the AWD coming in at 35 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined.

The Woodland Edition of the Sienna, which is new for 2022, is a bit more rugged: The suspension has been lifted by 0.6 inches, and it comes standard with both AWD and a 3,500 pound (lbs.) tow hitch.

The 2022 Kia Carnival is brand new to Kia’s lineup and is replacing the Sedona. It is billed as an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) rather than a minivan. There is no hybrid option for the Carnival – instead it has a 3.5 liter V6 engine that offers 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, but compared to the Sienna it lacks in terms of mileage: 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 combined. The Carnival is only available in FWD.

Convenience, Tech, and Safety

With the interior layout of the Sienna being akin to that of a SUV, the cab feels a lot roomier than what you would expect in a minivan. It is easy for passengers to enter and exit due to the second-row captain’s chairs being slidable, and if you need even more seating, there is a stowable center seat to bump it up to the eight passenger maximum.

Standard in the 2022 Sienna is a 9-inch touchscreen that is Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa compatible. You will also find an impressive 7 USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0, which contains the following:

• Lane departure alert
• Road sign assist
• Pre-collision with pedestrian detection

This is in addition to the Star Safety System that has a number of other important safety features.

The Kia Carnival can seat seven or eight people depending on the trim level, and the second row of seats can be completely removed to increase storage space. Standard is an 8-inch touchscreen and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six USB ports, and Bluetooth connectivity. It has several important safety features but lacks the coverage provided to the Sienna by Toyota Safety Sense and Star Safety System.

Which One Is Better For Me?

Both the 2022 Toyota Sienna and the brand new 2022 Kia Carnival have plenty to offer. However, if you are looking to save money on fuel, want the utmost in safety, and want to enjoy top-tier tech features, the Toyota Sienna is clearly the way to go. For more information on buying and leasing options on this hybrid minivan, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Westbury Toyota.