2025 KIA Carnival

The 2025 Kia Carnival reinvents the traditional minivan format with SUV-inspired design, family-friendly flexibility, and now a more efficient hybrid powertrain option. Redesigned exterior touches include Star Map LED lighting, bold grille detailing, and 17–19‑inch geometric wheel designs that elevate its presence beyond typical MPVs. sae.org +15 Kia Media +15 GearJunkie +15 Kia Media +2 PR Newswire +2 J.D. Power +2 Powertrain and Efficiency Standard across all trims is the proven 3.5‑liter V6 engine delivering 287 hp and 262 lb‑ft, mated to an eight‑speed automatic. This setup achieves 18/26 mpg city/highway and accelerates to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. MotorTrend New for 2025 is the Carnival Hybrid, pairing a 1.6‑liter turbo I‑4 with a 54 kW electric motor to yield 242 hp and 271 lb‑ft, routed through a 6‑speed automatic. EPA ratings improve to about 34/31 mpg city/highway, extending the driving range to over 600 miles per tank. MotorTrend +2 MotorTrend +2 Capital One +2 Trim Levels & Pricing Trim options include LX, LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. MSRPs range from $36,500 for LX to $50,600 for SX Prestige. Hybrid variants start at $40,500 for LXS and reach $52,600 at the top end. Capital One +11 PR Newswire +11 kianewscenter.com +11 Interior & Features Carnival seats eight (or seven with VIP lounge seats), offering standout legroom for first and second rows, and cargo volume scaling up to 145.1 cu ft behind the first row. Kia Media +3 MotorTrend +3 cars.usnews.com +3 Cabin features include a standard 12-inch infotainment screen and 4.2-inch TFT gauge, with higher trims offering dual panoramic 12.3-inch curved displays, over-the-air updates, and seven or more USB‑C ports. Optional VIP lounge seating in the second row brings power recline, heating, and leg rests. Rear-seat entertainment includes dual 14.6-inch streaming screens controlled via ccRC platform. MotorTrend +2 J.D. Power +2 PR Newswire +2 Technology & Safety Systems Comprehensive driver-assist tech is standard: forward collision avoidance with cyclist/intersection detection, lane keeping and following assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance, and safe-exit alerts. Higher trims add Highway Driving Assist 2 with semi-autonomous steering and adaptive cruise control. Center and rear occupants benefit from cabin monitoring with intercom and entertainment options. MotorTrend +3 PR Newswire +3 J.D. Power +3 Driving Experience & Value Carnival Hybrid delivers a smooth, quiet ride with regenerative braking and systems like E‑Handling and E‑Ride to enhance comfort. While V6 variants accelerate solidly, the hybrid model rewards with much better efficiency. tomsguide.com +3 MotorTrend +3 J.D. Power +3 Reviewers praise Carnival for blending the practicality of a minivan with comfort and tech normally seen in crossovers. Critiques mention occasional hesitation in sport mode and some cabin noise at speed. tomsguide.com apnews.com Customer Insights Owners appreciate the tech-loaded interior and versatility. However, some report electrical glitches—particularly battery drainage—and infotainment or boundary-sensor quirks.