The 2025 Kia Carnival received an update, including a new front and rear fascia, updated interior technology, and a hybrid powertrain option. Retains VIP seats!
| What’s Good: Nice looking, amber daytime running lights. Well executed panoramic curved display up front. Tried and true V-6 power. | What Could Improve: I actually prefer the look of the original Carnival from 2022. The Carnival does not fit in to Telluride styling as well as other Kia crossovers. | My Conclusion: Still the best-looking minivan on sale in the U.S. today. Loads of luxury offered for the first two rows of passengers. Plenty of space. |
OVERVIEW
The 2025 Kia Carnival SX Prestige (SX-P) tops the five-trim line-up of non-hybrid Kia minivans. It sits above the LX, LXS, EX, and SX. And with the update for 2025, keeps up with the trend of new screens inside, a faster processor to run them, and a freshened-up look. If you choose the new hybrid powertrain, that takes the LX version off the table. Non hybrid Carnivals largely carry on with the same mechanical equipment from 2022. And that suits me fine.
If you go with the base Carnival LX, plan to spend at least $37,895, which includes the $1395 destination charge. Going top-of-the-line with the SX-P raises that price to $51,995. And my test car also included a $495 coat of Astra Blue paint, a $2500 rear-seat entertainment package (two 14.6-in screens for second-row passengers), and $265 worth of carpeted floor mats to cost $55,255. That 55K buys a lot of space and comfort.
POWERTRAIN
Essentially unchanged since the 2022 debut of the Kia’s people hauler, under the hood lies a 3.5-liter V-6. It provides as much as 287 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft of torque at the respective peaks. Being naturally aspirated, you get a nice and high 12.3:1 compression ratio and free revving motor. Indeed, power peak comes at 6400 rpm. On the other hand, you have to wait to 5000 rpm to find the torque peak.
More positives, you get both direct and port fuel injection. And it happily spins that quickly and produces that power on regular gasoline.
One interesting note. This V-6 actually makes a little less power than the 2022 version, which produced 290 HP and 262 lb.-ft. I presume that comes from a tuning change to keep up with ever stricter emissions regulations.
Regardless, it attaches to an eight-speed automatic transmission and then sends power to the front wheels. All Carnivals are front-wheel-drive. It’s plenty of power to get moving. In fact, turn traction control off and light-up the front tires as you accelerate off to the horizon. You get surprisingly good pull in this minivan.
HYBRID POWERTRAIN
New for 2025, Kia also offers a hybrid version of the Carnival. It comprises of a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, a 72-horsepower electric motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Output peaks come to 242 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft of torque. Less power, more torque than the V-6.
While the Carnival enjoys superior power outputs, it’s the same basic setup as the 2025 Kia Sorento hybrid. And like the Sorento, the Carnival hybrid beats the standard on fuel economy. While the V-6 only travels 18 miles on a gallon of gas in the city, 26 on the highway, 21 combined. The Hybrid raises those figures to 34/31/33 MPG city/hwy/cmb.
If you prioritize performance, go with the tried and true V-6, but you’ll save money at the pump here.
CHASSIS
As minivans go, the Carnival behaves very well. You get a cushy ride and yet a still controlled body when you lean into the corners. Yes, you feel body roll, but not excessive amounts and the vehicle always feels stable. Credit the tuning of the strut front and multi-link rear, four-wheel independent suspension.
That holds true on the interstate as well. At 78 mph, the engine chugs along quietly at around 2000 rpm, courtesy of the eight-speed automatic. And the body soaks up bumps and expansion joints with zero trouble. You do not hear much road noise either. Wind noise breaks through a bit through the seams in the window and around the sideview mirrors but keeps quiet enough to keep the Carnival competitive in its class.
As you go, several driving aids keep you on the road. The Carnival includes a nice list of systems like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. And another system that puts that all together called highway drive assist 2. That last one includes automatic lane changes once you signal one, a fun parlor trick if nothing else.
INSIDE
Kia really allows to Carnival to shine inside, especially with the top SX-P trim. I especially enjoy relaxing in the second row VIP lounge seats. Slide the seat towards the middle of the van and as far back as it will go. From there, tilt the seat bottom back and allow the leg rest to extend and rise as the seat back reclines back. And you have nap worthy lounging in the middle of a van. It’s glorious.
Upfront, a big part of the 2025 update, Kia installed the panoramic curved display, which makes up the digital instrument cluster and center display. The two measure 12.3-in each and subtly arc around the driver. Kia also uses a new system called connected car navigation cockpit that operates the functions of the screens faster than before.
Want more screens? The SX-P Carnival includes a head-up display and a digital rearview that doubles as a screen for a camera back there. The top trim also installs A/C power to charge or run whatever you need.
Of course, you get a lot of space too. Even with all three rows of seats up, feel free to bring 40 cubic feet worth of stuff. Behind the second row, it climbs to 87 cubic feet. Or the same as a Kia Telluride with both the second and third row folded. And, if you do not get the top-trim, which forgoes the VIP lounge seats, you can move it out of the way too and have 145 cubic feet of storage.
CONCLUSION
Bluntly speaking, I prefer the original look of the Carnival. The 2025 update works to hard to mimic the Telluride in a way that looks forced. That said, I do like the amber daytime running lights. Kia also modernized the interior in smart ways. And, otherwise, smartly left the Carnival alone because it got a lot right in its 2022 debut. Minivan’s get a bad rap and unrightly so. They provide tons of space in an efficient package. Even though the Carnival’s styling update doesn’t tickle my fancy, I still think it’s the best looking one available. And now you can choose between a solid V-6 or a hybrid. There’s a lot to like here. And a whole lot to comfortably use!
Competitors
Chrysler Pacific/Voyager
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Specifications
2025 Kia Carnival SX-Prestige AWD: 5-door, 7-seat, Minivan
Base price: $51,995 (includes $1395 destination charge)
Price as Tested: $55,255
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V-6
Peak Power: 287 horsepower at 6400 rpm
Peak Torque: 260 lb.-ft between 5000 rpm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic transmission
Drive: front-wheel-drive
Fuel Economy in MPG and range
18 city
26 highway
21 combined
Driving range: 399 miles
Dimensions
Length: 203.0 inches
Width: 78.5 inches
Height: 69.9 inches (incl. roof rails)
Wheelbase: 121.7 inches
Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: 4771 lbs.
Interior volume: NA cu ft
Cargo volume (behind 3rd/2nd/1st rows): 40/87/145 cu ft
Calculated weight to power (lbs./HP): 16.6:1
Mfr’s claimed 0-62 mph: NA seconds
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: NA mph
Government classified size: Minivan 2WD
Options: Rear-seat entertainment package, $2500; Astra Blue paint, $495; carpeted floor mats, $265
