The Kia Carnival does 25.2 mpg combined (23.7 city, 27.7 highway), which works out to about $1,524 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid does 32.7 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 21.5 — a difference of $612 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Kia Carnival engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Kia Carnival ranges from 32.7 down to 21.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $612 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid | 34 / 31.3 | 2025–2027 | $1,174 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 18.5 / 25.8 | 2022–2027 | $1,786 |
What that actually costs
The Kia Carnival burns a gallon every 25.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 476 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.127 |
| Fuel per year | $1,524 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,620 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$406 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,572 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Kia Carnival gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.7 out there against 23.7 in town, a 17% drop worth $234 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.7 mpg | $1,620 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.7 mpg | $1,386 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (17%) | Typical for its type |
How the Carnival changed over the years
The Carnival peaked in 2027 at 27 mpg (26 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2024 at 22 — 5 mpg apart, or $323 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2027 car does 27. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 26 / 29 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2026 | 26 / 28 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2024 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2023 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Kia Carnival — 2 engines across 2022–2027. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,572. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Carnival get?
25.2 mpg combined on average — 23.7 in the city and 27.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2022–2027.
How much does a Kia Carnival cost in fuel per year?
About $1,524 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,620 over five years, or 0.127 dollars a mile.
Which Carnival engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid at 32.7 mpg, against 21.5 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $612 a year.
Is the Carnival good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Carnival figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Kia Carnival is $2,572 against the $1,524 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 33 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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