Car Reviews
Kia’s 2025 Carnival Hybrid – Shhhh…It’s a Minivan
Kia’s 2025 Carnival Hybrid
Shhhh…It’s a Minivan
The projected range, 572 miles, was the first thing I noticed when I turned the key on Kia’s new hybrid Carnival.
Really? In a luxed-out, seven-passenger people hauler?
So, that was the week I made two trips to the Cossatot River, another to Beaver’s Bend, and a couple to Atlanta State Park. I drove more than 450 miles in the car and hiked more than 40 miles of peaceful winter trails. When the nice man came to retrieve the handsome beast, it had a hair less than a quarter of its 19-gallon fuel tank.
For those battling inflation, any week spent exploring three states without visiting a gas pump is a win.
Honestly, the first thing I noticed about the Carnival is that it almost does not look like a minivan. Using its distinctive “Opposites United” design language, Kia gave the new Carnival an SUV appearance.
A bold chiseled front fascia complements cube-like headlamps that Kia’s signature amber-colored Star Map daytime running lights accentuate. A straight, high waistline and muscular fender flares create a Land Rover-Suburban-Expedition vibe. Ony the large, sliding second-row door gives it away.
Kia sells the Carnival in two flavors: hybrid and non-hybird. The gas-only variant, powered by a 3.5-L V6, averages 22 mpg, starts at $32,100, and tops out around $47,500. The hybrid, which marries a turbocharged 1.6-L I-4 to a 64-kWh electric motor averaging around 33 mpg (a 50% increase in fuel economy), starts at $40,800 and climbs to $52,900.
Our HEV SX Prestige tester was close to $57,000 with delivery and a host of nice options, like a $2,500 rear-seat entertainment package. Anyone who has survived a family vacation understands the value of keeping the crumb crunchers happy. So does Kia, which provides six standard USB-C ports, two power outlets and two 115V inverters
Living room on wheels
The Kia Carnival’s cabin is both spacious and well-appointed. With a total passenger volume of 168.2 cubic feet and a maximum cargo volume of 145.1 cubic feet, there’s ample space for passengers and belongings. High-quality materials and solid assembly expand the impression of quality.
The Carnival’s two most formidable competitors are the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, and, in terms of digital technology, the Kia is a generation or two of both. The Kia has advanced technology features, including a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Our tester came with an optional 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which blended with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to create an impressive curved panoramic display. Add a color head-up display, and driving a Carnival at night feels like piloting a modern airplane.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility work flawlessly.
Rear passengers get dual 14.6-inch monitors with HD resolution, allowing streaming from popular platforms. They can listen through Bluetooth headsets and view from external devices with a HDMI port.
Ride and Handling
The 2025 Kia Carnival delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. The vehicle handles well, with precise steering and minimal body roll. Off the beaten path, optional adaptive suspension allowed quick driving through mountain passes and absorbed irregular surfaces well on poorly maintained roads.
The front-wheel drive setup provides reliable performance, while the available all-wheel drive system offers added traction in various driving conditions.
Safety
The Carnival earns high marks for safety, with a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-seat occupant alert. Optional safety features include a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and a blind-spot camera.
Reliability
The Kia Carnival has a good reputation for reliability, though it would be a good idea to change oil more often than the manufacturer recommends. The Carnival has a competitive warranty package, including a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Competition
- 2025 Honda Odyssey: With strong sales in the minivan segment, the Odyssey offers a spacious interior, advanced technology, and a well-rounded driving experience. Pricing ranges from $33,040 to $49,470. The Odyssey, which does not offer a hybrid option, comes with Honda’s legendary 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower, delivering 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG. The vehicle offers up to 158 cubic feet of cargo space. Last redesigned in 2018, the Odyssey is renowned for reliability and ease of maintenance, but mediocre fuel consumption and lack of digital sophistication date it.
- 2025 Toyota Sienna: A popular choice among minivan buyers, the Sienna features a standard hybrid powertrain with 36 MPG combined. The Sienna’s hybrid system is smoother and more refined than the Kia’s. Pricing ranges from $35,135 to $52,070. The Sienna’s interior is comfortable and versatile, offering up to 150 cubic feet of cargo space. Its infotainment system can be challenging, and the exterior design may not appeal to everyone.
Bottom line: The Carnival is not as mechanically solid as its two chief competitors, but it compensates with a better warranty, advanced technology, more elegant styling, and lower prices.
