One Mighty Minivan
Kia's Carnival minivan has been grabbing the attention of families since it replaced the Sedona as the brand's largest people mover in 2022, and that's not about to change for 2025. Though it checks in a hair smaller than its rivals, the Carnival's size translates to better driving dynamics and maneuverability in parking lots. Kids love the three-row seating arrangement and sliding doors, while everyone loves its eye-catching design.
For 2025, the Kia Carnival received a mid-cycle update with freshened exterior design elements, a revised dashboard, upgraded technology, and, for the first time, a hybrid powertrain option.
Choose Between a V6 or Hybrid
The same 3.5-liter V6 returns with 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, hooked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. New for 2025 is a hybrid powertrain that combines a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with an electric motor for a total output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. All models are front-wheel drive only, unlike the Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna, which offer all-wheel drive.
According to Car and Driver, both the V6 and hybrid Carnival hit 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. All Carnivals ride on a simple MacPherson strut front suspension with a more sophisticated multi-link design in the rear.
SUV-Inspired Interior and Exterior Updates
Exterior updates include a new grille, LED lighting, and wheel designs. The front end now features amber LED daytime running lights, vertically stacked headlights, and a wider grille, echoing the look of the Sorento. Out back, the LED taillight now features vertical end caps.
The result is a blunt and squared-off look that's more SUV-like, an attempt to move the Carnival further away from the minivan stigma. The styling shift makes sense in today's era of crossover popularity, but some may miss the stylish look of the previous model.
Inside, the Carnival features a family-friendly three-row seating arrangement for up to eight passengers, except in the base LX model, which only seats seven due to a lack of a middle seat in the second row.
A revised dashboard with a tiered design now houses a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an easy-to-use tile-based interface that will be comfortable to navigate for anyone familiar with an iPad. Top-spec SX and SX Prestige models also feature a 12.3-inch curved digital gauge cluster, while lower LX, LXS, and EX trims get a 4.2-inch driver information display in an analog gauge cluster.
Climate and infotainment controls, borrowed from the EV6, use a combination of physical knobs and digital buttons. Depending on the mode, the system morphs the digital buttons for climate and audio systems, but it’s easy to forget which function the system’s currently set for. This can translate to frequently mistakenly increasing the radio volume or decreasing the cabin temperature. A new rotary gear selector, also from the EV6, replaced the traditional T-shaped gear selector on the center console, freeing up space and making the area between the driver and front passenger feel more open.
Every Carnival features advanced safety technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane-keeping assist. Top-spec SX and SX Prestige models add a surround-view camera system and the ability to use the cameras to view the Carnival’s blind spots with the turn signals engaged.
Dimensions
At 203 inches long with a 121.7-inch wheelbase, the Carnival is 2.2 inches shorter than the Honda Odyssey but rides on a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase. These dimensions make the Carnival physically smaller than its Japanese counterpart, yet it rides and handles better thanks to the longer wheelbase. The shorter overall length makes the Carnival easier to park than its Honda competitor in a Costco parking lot or at soccer practice.
Front-seat occupants have plenty of space in every direction, while second-row occupants will be pleased with generous stretch-out space. Kids will enjoy the fold-down middle seat acting as an armrest and will be fine in the third row. However, adults will note that the third row feels tight for a road trip.
Folding the third row opens cargo space up to 40.2 cubic feet for larger items. But the third row is odd; folding it results in a sloped load floor that angles towards the second-row seats. This means items, especially round ones like a soccer ball, push and slide further from the rear tailgate opening, making them harder to reach. It’s a packaging quirk that leaves me scratching my head.
Kia rates the Carnival to tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, though that rating drops to 1,000 pounds when the item being towed lacks trailer brakes.
Fuel Economy and Pricing
The Carnival’s V6 is smooth, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is the best in the minivan segment, with quick, decisive shifts cracked off at the right times. In my experience, it’s also proven it can best its EPA-rated 26 mpg highway rating. The base V6 is a solid powertrain choice, but the new hybrid option should give buyers noticeable savings at the pump with EPA fuel economy ratings of 34 mpg city, 31 highway, and 33 combined.
In day-to-day suburban driving, the hybrid feels quicker off the line from a stoplight thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque. The six-speed automatic transmission is almost as smooth as the V6’s eight-speed automatic, though shifts aren’t always as decisive or quick as the system blends the electric motor’s power with the torque converter.
In an odd move, Kia includes four levels of regenerative braking that can be controlled by the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Increasing the level of regenerative braking via the paddles makes it difficult to drive smoothly, as the Carnival isn’t an EV, and gas vehicles aren’t designed to be driven with one-pedal driving thanks to their gas-powered engine running most of the time. Steering is nicely weighted but appropriately numb for a family-hauling minivan. Enthusiasts will appreciate the Carnival’s sharper driving dynamics compared to a Toyota Sienna, but no one’s heart will get aflutter behind the wheel of a Carnival.
The 2025 Kia Carnival hybrid is on sale now. Its prices range between MSRPs of $42,195 and $54,295, including a $1,395 destination charge.
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