From V6 to Hybrid: Is the 2025 Kia Carnival an Upgrade Worth Making?

As someone who owns a 2022 Kia Carnival, I’ve spent a lot of time behind the wheel of what I believe is one of the best family vehicles on the market today. It’s not just the space or the practicality that sold us on it—it was the visibility, comfort, and surprising refinement that made it an easy pick for my family of six. So when Kia announced a refreshed 2025 Carnival—complete with a hybrid powertrain—I had questions. Would this new version enhance everything I already loved about the van, or would it mess with a good thing?

After a full week with the 2025 Kia Carnival SX Prestige Hybrid, I can say with confidence: Kia didn’t ruin anything. In fact, they might’ve just made it better.

A Bolder, More Refined Exterior

Kia’s new “Opposites United” design philosophy continues to deliver bold, sculptural styling across the lineup, and the 2025 Carnival is no exception. From the front, the updated cube-like LED projection headlights and signature amber-colored Star Map DRLs give the Carnival a sharp, confident presence. The grille has grown in size and attitude, making it feel more SUV-like than ever—a trend that helps the Carnival stand out in a minivan segment often accused of being too vanilla.

My test vehicle came finished in Panthera Metal, a dark gray metallic that pairs perfectly with the Dark Edition styling. Blacked-out trim pieces, 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels, and darker roof rails give the van a sleek, modern look that feels more premium than people might expect from a minivan. I’ve gotten compliments on our 2022 Carnival before—but this 2025 model? It turned just as many heads in parking lots and school pickup lines.

Out back, the redesigned Star Map LED taillights and repositioned license plate area help smooth out the rear fascia, giving it a cleaner and more upscale appearance. It’s still unmistakably a minivan, sure—but it looks and feels like a stylish, confident one.

Interior Comfort with a Premium Edge

Step inside, and the upgrades continue. My tester featured a two-tone blue and black interior, which adds a splash of personality without being over the top. The cabin layout remains clean and functional, but with a more modern, upscale vibe thanks to Kia’s new curved panoramic dual-display setup. This pairs a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen into one continuous panel—a setup that feels lifted straight from Kia’s luxury EVs.

The SX Prestige trim packs just about every creature comfort you can imagine: heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, Bose premium audio, dual sunroofs, integrated rear sunshades, and even two 115V power outlets. It’s luxury-level tech in a family-focused package.

And here’s where my personal experience comes in: our 2022 Carnival has 7-passenger seating with captain’s chairs, which we’ve enjoyed—but this new model had the 8-passenger bench in the middle row. And after a week with it? I’m sold. The extra flexibility and ability to slide that center seat for easier access to little ones in car seats made a noticeable difference in day-to-day usability.

There’s still best-in-class cargo capacity, with a deep well behind the third row and fold-in-floor rear seats that let you open up serious space. While the second-row seats in this SX Prestige aren’t removable, they do slide and recline, making it easy to fine-tune your layout for passengers or gear.

Hybrid Power That Doesn’t Disappoint

Let’s talk powertrain. The 2025 Carnival Hybrid replaces the standard V6 with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired to a 54kW electric motor, delivering a combined 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. That’s a slight drop from the V6’s 287 hp, but on the road, I never felt like I was missing anything. The hybrid setup is smooth, quiet, and surprisingly peppy, especially in city driving and during highway merges.

Fuel economy is where the hybrid really shines. It’s rated at 34 MPG city, 31 highway, and 33 combined—a massive leap from the V6’s 21 MPG combined. While I haven’t done a precise MPG calculation, I can confidently say it’s been excellent in my real-world driving. On a full tank, you’re looking at 500+ miles of range, which turns this from a solid family hauler into a road trip warrior.

The hybrid also introduces new features like E-Ride and E-Handling, designed to improve ride quality and vehicle control during cornering. I didn’t expect to notice much difference here, but I’ll admit—the 2025 feels noticeably smoother and more composed than my 2022. Whether it’s around-town potholes or long stretches of highway, the ride feels a bit more refined and buttoned down.

Tech That Makes Life Easier

Kia’s new ccNC infotainment system is fast, sharp, and user-friendly. Apple CarPlay connected seamlessly with my phone, and the all-USB-C port layout makes it easier than ever to keep devices charged without adapters. There are smart touches everywhere—like multi-zone voice recognition, which lets you say “Hey Kia” and ask it to roll down windows, adjust climate, and more.

One of the standout features in this trim is the Passenger View in-cabin camera. If you’ve got younger kids, this is a game-changer. I used it constantly to check in on my little ones in car seats—something you can’t really do from the driver’s seat otherwise. And fun fact: the kids actually loved it and insisted we keep the camera on during every drive.

Tech also extends to rear passengers with the available Connected Car Rear Cockpit (ccRC) system, featuring dual 14.6-inch HD displays and streaming support. I didn’t get to test that system in this particular trim, but it’s a feature I’d definitely consider for families who do lots of long-distance driving.

ADAS That Works—Really Well

Driver assistance is another area where Kia’s stepped things up. This Carnival comes equipped with the latest Highway Driving Assist 2, which combines adaptive cruise with lane centering and automatic lane changes. I tested it extensively and found it to be flawless and easy to use—something I can’t say for all systems I’ve tested.

Other features include Blind-Spot View Monitor, Forward Collision Avoidance with junction turning and evasive steering, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance. It’s one of the most comprehensive safety suites in the segment, and everything works seamlessly in real-world scenarios.

Price and Value

The hybrid lineup starts lower in trims, but the fully-loaded SX Prestige Hybrid I drove comes in around $50,000. That’s a big number for a minivan—but when you stack it up against three-row SUVs with similar features (and far worse fuel economy), it holds up. Between the tech, comfort, and efficiency, it feels like you’re getting your money’s worth—and then some.

Final Verdict: Worth the Upgrade?

So, is the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid an upgrade worth making? As someone who’s owned a V6 Carnival for the past couple years, I say yes—absolutely. Kia has refined what was already one of the best family vehicles on the road. The hybrid powertrain adds real-world value without compromise, and the smoother ride, smarter tech, and thoughtful new features only make it more compelling.

If you’re already in a Carnival and happy with it, there’s no urgent need to upgrade. But if you’re shopping for a new family hauler or looking to trade in, the 2025 Carnival Hybrid is easily one of the best, most well-rounded options on the market today.