2025 Kia Carnival

Inside, most Carnivals get twin2.3-inch screens under one piece of glass for the digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen. In base models a 4.2-inch information display sits in the gauge cluster augmented by an 8.0-inch touchscreen. A volume and tuning knob remain, while the rest of the climate controls have a separate digital interface, similar to Kia’s electric cars. It’s kinda cool: press the fan icon and the panel turns into climate control functions; press the navigation arrow and the panel turns into touchscreen hot buttons. The T-shaped gear selector has been replaced by a silver rotary dial, and heated seat, steering wheel, and drive mode toggles sit in a pretty chrome-like band. Most of the Carnival’s smudgy piano-black plastic has been replaced by matte plastic and open storage cubbies.

How fast is the Kia Carnival?

The gas-only Carnival carries forward with a standard 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 287 hp and 260 lb-ft. The V-6 has plenty of power for passing on single-lane highways, and at on-ramps it will merge readily, but uphill we wish the 8-speed automatic transmission had paddle shifters to downshift a couple gears in advance of the climb. Plan accordingly if passing uphill. 

The charm of the Carnival is its hushed ride and relatively planted handling for such a tall and long vehicle. Nearly all versions have acoustic laminated glass that isolates the cabin from road noise, and the independent suspension soaks up road bumps well enough not to disturb even the lightest nappers. Light steering around town eases all the errands, and overall the Carnival serves its mission as family hauler with a kind of minivan grace. 

Shoppers debating between an SUV and minivan might appreciate the Carnival’s tall seat height that feels like many SUVs. It can also tow 3,500 pounds. 

How does the Kia Carnival Hybrid drive?

The new hybrid model does it even better. It pairs a 1.6-liter turbo-4 with a 72-hp electric motor for a combined output of 242 hp and 271 lb-ft. There’s more punch off the line, and it rides whisper quiet while cruising. Hammer the throttle to pass or just to flex your minivan muscle in Sport mode, which firms up throttle response and holds the gears a beat longer, and the 6-speed automatic transmission will let the engine rev high enough and the Carnival will get loud enough to provoke your passengers into paying attention. In most every other instance, especially in top SX Prestige trim, it’s the quietest minivan we’ve tested.

In Eco or Smart mode, the paddle shifters for the 6-speed turn into regenerative braking paddles that can be adjusted from the default coasting mode to three levels of regen. It won’t bring the Carnival to a stop, but an auto hold button lets you relax your braking foot when stopped at a light. More importantly, regen refills the 1.5-kwh battery pack so you’re most often operating with some kind of electrical power. It’s possible to stay in EV mode around town at speeds under 20 mph.

An E-Motor button and associated functions use the motor and driver-assist hardware to predictively slow the van before impact with a pothole, for instance, or to respond quicker than just the driver in turns. Without any real torque vectoring going on, and other than aiming for potholes or speed bumps, it’s hard to discern the benefits in everyday driving.  

The Carnival Hybrid tows 2,500 pounds.

Step up from the base LX to the LXS for heated power front seats that are as wide and roomy as they are supportive. Like other minivans, the Carnival and its sliding doors make getting in and out of any row so much easier than a three-row SUV, and with third row seats that fold into the cargo floor, the minivan remains the most practical family vehicle class on the market. Without the middle second-row seat, the Carnival’s second-row seats can slide inward to buddy up or outward to make for an easy aisle to walk down. A button mechanism to fold down the seats would be welcome, but the latch-and-strap setup and sliding flexibility make for great versatility for the active, growing family. Legroom in the third row trails the Sienna and Odyssey, but it can still fit two adults.

Which Kia Carnival should I buy?

We recommend the base Carnival LXS Hybrid. For $41,895, you get 33 mpg combined, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and 17-inch wheels optimized for aerodynamics. The $46,095 EX Hybrid could tempt with more convenience features such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an in-cabin camera and intercom, and a voice recognition system that can adjust the climate and control the windows, in addition to nav and media commands.

How much is a fully loaded Kia Carnival?

The SX Prestige costs $51,995, while the SX Prestige Hybrid tops the lineup at $53,995. It includes the reclining lounge seats, a 12.0-inch head-up display, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated second row seats, and Bose audio. A rear-seat entertainment package with 14.6-inch touchscreens on both front seat backs costs $2,500.