The hybrid minivan segment isn’t very big, but the three offerings have a surprising level of variety. The 2025 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV, the Kia Carnival Hybrid, and the Toyota Sienna Hybrid are what you’ll be choosing from if you’re looking for a hybrid minivan. Let’s take a look at how they stack up in features and performance.

Why Buy a Minivan?

If your local car dealer was a fashion mall, minivans would be in the sweatpants section. They’re not cool or stylish, but they are very practical. For large families, it’s hard to beat a minivan for interior space and accessibility. Minivans also tend to be more efficient than SUVs, and when you throw a hybrid powertrain into the mix, they become even more practical.

Powertrain Comparison

Toyota entered the hybrid minivan market in 2021 by making the Sienna only available as a hybrid. The Sienna features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors on FWD models and three on AWD models. When paired with a CVT, it produces 245 horsepower.

The Chrysler Pacifica features a V6 gas engine whether it’s a hybrid or not. The hybrid plug-in version adds two electric motors for a total of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica also has a CVT, but it only comes in FWD. However, one major perk is that its larger battery pack can give you 32 miles of electric range, ideal for a quick trip to the store.

Kia does things a little differently with a turbocharged four-cylinder and a single electric motor. Unlike the other two, the Kia Carnival Hybrid has a six-speed automatic transmission rather than a CVT. It offers FWD and 242 horsepower.

Fuel Economy Comparison

One big reason to purchase a minivan is its fuel economy. In most cases, a minivan gets way better fuel economy than a large SUV, and that’s doubly true for hybrid versions. In this case, the Sienna wins with 35 MPG combined. The Pacifica was assigned EPA numbers of 30 MPG combined, but real-world tests show it gets about 33 MPG on the highway. The Kia Carnival is in the middle of the pack with 33 MPG combined.

Depending on how you drive, one minivan might fit better than the other. The Toyota is the best all-rounder. However, it’s worth noting that the Pacifica can get you around town using no gas at all and you can simply plug it in when you get home.

Interior and Cargo Comparison

It doesn’t matter how versatile an SUV’s rear seats are, it can’t touch the room and interior space inside a minivan. All three hybrid minivans are roughly the same when it comes to room and cargo. However, the three models differ on where that room is. The Sienna splits its room the most democratically and thus ends up with the most third-row space. The Pacifica has the same third-row space as the Sienna, but its middle row is the smallest. The Carnival puts most of its room up front and the tradeoff is the smallest third row. When it comes to cargo space, the Carnival has the most behind the third row.

Pricing Considerations

As you can see, all three of these minivan models have something different to offer. However, for some buyers, price is the top concern. In that area, the Toyota Sienna comes out on top because all Siennas are hybrids. It starts at $40, 635. The Kia Carnival starts at about $2,000 more. On the other hand, the Pacifica has a starting price of over $50,000 simply because it comes with a lot more standard equipment, and you have to admit, the all-electric range and plug-in capability are pretty useful.