2026 KiA CARNIVAL HYBRID

 

CARNIVAL CLOSING IN ON RIVAL MINIVANS WITH HYBRID DRIVETRAIN BOOSTING SALES

Kia launched the Carnival in 2022 as a replacement for the aging Sedona, dubbing it a “Multi-Purpose Vehicle” rather than the mundane minivan moniker, and by any name it has become a a steady seller in the small but competitive segment.

Currently, the Kia Carnival is one of only s half-dozen mnivans available in the U.S. market. Overall, the six models account for only a 2-3 percent market share among all  U.S. auto sales with the Chrysler Pacifica topping the list at 110,006 in 2025 followed by the Toyota Sienna (94,346) and Honda Odyssey (76,408)

The Kia Carnival comes in at No. 4 but is closing in after a 44.6 percent jump over 2024 sales to 7 1,917 for 2025 after the addition of  a hybrid drivetrain.

The 2026 Kia Carnival is available in five trims with gas engines and four trims with hybrid drivetrains. This review is based on the 2026 Kia Hybrid SX Prestige trim which gets a combined 252 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque from its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motor.

As a traditional hybrid (HEV), electric-only operation is very limited, kicking in at startup and at low speeds when coasting or creeping in traffic, but for only short distances. Two of its competitors, the all-electric Toyota Sienna and the Pacifica plugin, offer more in the way of electric driving.

The 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid, however, sips fuel at the rate of 34 miles-per-gallon city, 31 highway, and 32 overall. That’s a big advantage over the 22 mpg for the gas-only Honda Odyssey, which reportedly won’t have its first electrified version until 2027 models are out.

As the top trim in portfolio, the 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige comes packed with many tech features operated mostly off a user-friendly touchscreen. One drawback to the infotainment system is that the same buttons operate climate and audio control and you have to make sure you have the appropriate menu set to change a radio statioin or adjust A/C blower speed manually.

Standard comfort and convenience features include navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Smart key with push-button start, tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and Smart power sliding rear doors (the obvious giveaway that the stylish Carnival is a minivan, not an SUV).

Other standard features include 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, dual power sunroof, roof rails, rear spoiler, and rear privacy glass.

Among standard safety systems are forward collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert and avoidance,  parking assist, surround view and blind spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control,

 

Starting MSRP for the 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige is $53,090. At no extra charge on my test vehicle were extras like Dark Edition wheels and accents, LED projector headlights and rear combination lights, leather seat trim, a head-up display, Bose Premium sound, a digital rear-view mirror, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and an SX Prestige Package that included heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs with leg support. 

With the second-row captain’s chairs, seating is limited to 7 passengers versus 8 for models with bench seats.

Adding to the starting price, however, were extras like a dual screen entertainment center, carpeted floor mats, and a cargo mat.

The final total came to $57,490 including the $1.495 freight charge.

What I liked about the 2026 Kia Hybrid SX Prestige: The SX Prestige trim is packed with many easy-to-use tech features. Styling is  attractive and if not for the sliding rear doors has the attitude of an SUV. Fuel economy is excellent and has a huge advantage over gas-only models. That it comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT is a big plus in my book. Pricing is competitive among other hybrid minivans..

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Kia Hybrid SX Prestige: The third-row seats fold flat to expand storage space, which is good, but it requires a lot of tugging and pulling. The ride can be rough at times.

Would I buy the 2026 Kia Hybrid SX Prestige? If you are in the market for a minivan, the Carnival is definitely worth a look. Springing for the hybrid version is worth the effort.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

RANGE ROVER IS OLDEST CURRENT LAND ROVER BUT DEFENDER HAS ITS BACKERS

Though the Range Rover has been around since 1970, you will find  many who will argue that it is the midsize Defender that really carries on the Land Rover heritage.

Stick with me here on a dive into the artificial intelligence pool. Their case goes that the Defender name that was attached to 90 and 110 models in 1990 carried on the adventuress 4X4 spirit of the company’s earlier models, which had begun life in the 1940s as the rather bland Series I and later Series II, and Series III.

Production of the Defender has not been continuous, however. Land Rover pulled the Defender out of the U.S. market in 1997 and in 2016 halted production entirely.

Four years later, the Defender returned. A  bit more refined overall with three body styles and no longer of body-on-frame construction, the 2020 Defender still carried on the vehicle’s reputation as a serious luxury off-roader.

Reception has been favorable. U.S. sales of the Defender hit a high of 27,707 for 2024. In 2025 the numbers fell just short of that at 23,187. Worldwide it is Land Rover’s best-seller.

The Defender’s off-roading capability was enhanced with the launch of a new OCTA trim introduced for 2025. The 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA also is the performance leader for the lineup with its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 pumping out 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque resulting in a sub 4-second zero-to-60 mph time.

This review is based on the 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA. The Defender also is offered in 90 and 130 body styles. The Defender 90 is a two-door model, the Defender 110 a four-door with two rows of seating, and the Defender 130 an extended length model with three rows of seating.

In addition to the OCTA trim, the Defender is offered in S,  SE,X-Dynamic, and X styles. The 90 P300 S and 110 P300 S models are powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine while the higher trims get the 3.0L turbo V8.

Premium fuel is recommend for both engines and they are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with a 2-speed transfer box. My test 110 OCTA also featured rear electronic active differential and all-terrain progress control. Land Rover’s new 6D Dynamic suspension uses hydraulic dampers to control body roll for smoother performance both on pavement and off-road.

LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing front and rear wipers, a rear privacy glass, keyless entry and push-button start were standard on my test Defender 110 OCTA.

Other standard comfort and convenience features included tri-zone climate control, a power adjustable heated steering wheel, a front console refrigerator a Meridian premium sound system, and an 11.4-inch touchsreen for operation of features that include audio, navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety features include a 3D surround camera, blind-spot assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and a rear traffic monitor. An adaptive speed limiter can be set to alert you to when you are exceeding the posted limit.

Pricing for the Defender starts at under $58,000 but soon jumps into the $60,000 bracket. My test 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA was listed at $152,000 with extras like matte protective film, tow hitch receiver, 22-inch wheels, and an emergency pack running the final tab to $160,005 (including the $1,625 destination and delivery fee).

Perhaps your skill as a bargainer will get you a better deal considering it is now 2026. I’ll leave you to argue if you are buying the oldest Land Rover model. 

What I liked about the Land Rover Defender: Few SUVs offer superior off-road capability with as much luxury as the Land Rover fleet. The twin-turbo V8 packs good punch, though it also is very thirsty for premium fuel. Auto Hold keeps you from creeping at intersections.

What I didn’t like about the Land Rover Defender: The infotainment  system has a steep learning curve with many functions hidden behind various menus. Getting to them can be distracting for the driver. The rear hatch door swings to the right and with the full-size spare tire hanging off it, it is very heavy. Top trims are priced in six figures even before options. Though billed as a midsize, it takes some searching to find accommodating parking spaces in crowded mall lots. Cargo capacity of 34 cubic feet is not what you might expect out of an SUV this size.

Would I buy the Land Rover Defender? Not really for me, and the pricing may be prohibitive even for those with 6-figure budgets.