A family road trip has a way of exposing exactly what a vehicle is good at, and exactly where it falls short. Seating for everyone is only the starting point; cargo space, towing capacity, and how often you need to stop for fuel or a charge all shape how the trip actually feels. Kia’s three-row lineup covers three very different answers to that problem: the Sorento HEV, the all-electric EV9, and the Carnival.
Each one seats a full family and then some, but they get there in different ways. Here’s how they compare, and how to figure out which one matches your road trip habits.
At a Glance: Three-Row 2026 Kia Lineup
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Vehicle
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Powertrain
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Seating
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Towing Capacity
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Sorento HEV
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227 hp / 258 lb-ft, AWD
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6-passenger
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Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg)
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Carnival ICE
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288 hp / 260 lb-ft, FWD
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8-passenger
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Up to 3,500 lb (1,588 kg)
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EV9 Land AWD
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379 hp / 516 lb-ft, dual-motor AWD
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7-passenger
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Up to 5,000 lb (2,267 kg)
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Powertrain and Efficiency
The Sorento HEV combines a 1.6-litre turbo engine with an electric motor for 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with all-wheel drive standard and fuel economy rated at 7.0 L/100 km combined. It’s the choice for buyers who want a fuel-efficient road trip vehicle without changing their fuelling routine.
The Carnival ICE brings a 3.5-litre V6 making 288 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, rated at 11.3 L/100 km combined. A more fuel-efficient Carnival HEV is also available, with 242 hp and 270 lb-ft combined and 7.2 L/100 km combined fuel economy, for buyers who want the Carnival’s space without the V6’s fuel use.
The EV9 Land AWD swaps fuel entirely for a 99.8 kWh battery and a dual-motor setup producing 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated range of up to 455 km. On a 350 kW DC fast charger, the battery can recover a significant amount of range in well under an hour.
Cargo and Seating for the Whole Family
- Sorento HEV: 357 L behind the third row, up to 1,274 L behind the second row, and up to 2,139 L with both rear rows folded. Six-passenger seating comes standard.
- Carnival: 1,139 L minimum cargo volume with all seats up, expanding to 4,110 L maximum with the rear seats folded. Eight-passenger seating is standard, with a 7-passenger VIP Lounge configuration available on the SX+ trim.
- EV9: 573 L behind the third row, 1,233 L behind the second row, and up to 2,314 L with both rear rows folded. Seven-passenger seating is standard, with a 6-passenger, captain’s-chair layout available on the Premium package.
Towing for the Trip
Not every road trip is just passengers and luggage. When a trailer, boat, or camper is part of the plan, towing capacity becomes one of the biggest differences between these three:
- Sorento HEV: up to 2,000 lb (907 kg)
- Carnival ICE: up to 3,500 lb (1,588 kg); Carnival HEV: up to 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)
- EV9 Land AWD: up to 5,000 lb (2,267 kg)
Which One Fits Your Family?
If fuel efficiency and a familiar gas-and-go routine matter most, the Sorento HEV delivers strong mileage with all-wheel drive standard, in a slightly smaller footprint than the other two.
If maximizing passenger and cargo space is the priority, the Carnival’s sliding doors, 8-passenger seating, and largest cargo volume of the three make it the most practical choice for a family that packs heavy.
If the plan includes a heavier trailer or the goal is to leave gasoline out of the trip entirely, the EV9 Land AWD offers the strongest towing capacity of the three alongside genuinely quick acceleration for its size.
Find Your Fit at Lallier Kia de Laval
The right three-row Kia comes down to how your family actually travels and what the trip demands from cargo space to towing. Book your test drive at Lallier Kia de Laval in Laval to compare the Sorento HEV, EV9, and Carnival in person and find the one that matches your road trip habits.
To learn more about Kia SUVs like the 2026 Kia Sorento HEV, visit Kia.ca
