When Kia introduced the Carnival as a replacement for its Sedona minivan, it emphasized the model’s “SUV-like” character and referred to it repeatedly as a “multi-purpose vehicle,” or MPV. But Kia did not call it what it was: a minivan.
Apparently, times have changed. While Kia still refers to the refreshed 2025 Carnival as an SUV-like MPV, it also admits the model competes in the minivan segment. Available trim levels include LX, LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige, all featuring a standard V6 engine. However, one of the significant changes for the 2025 Kia Carnival is a new hybrid model called the HEV. It comes in all but LX trim.
The 2022 Carnival had a technical exterior appearance with SUV styling cues that set it far apart from other minivans. Thematically, its styling most closely recalled the Sorento SUV.
The refreshed 2025 Carnival continues taking its cues from the Sorento, but this time, it’s the updated 2024 version of the SUV. They have a very similar look in the front, while in the back, the Carnival’s distinctive full-width taillights adopt new vertical outer blades similar to those of its SUV sibling.
To shake off the stench of a minivan classification, the 2025 Carnival features SUV styling cues such as gray lower perimeter body and wheel arch cladding, wheels that resemble what you might see on the Sorento and Telluride models, silver trim to simulate skid plates, and utility-style roof rails. A new Carnival Dark Edition is also available with, you guessed it, dark exterior trim and detailing.
Get into a Kia Carnival, and it feels like anything but a minivan from the driver’s seat. With its broad dashboard, full center console, and a large padded armrest between the front seats, you’d swear you were sitting in an SUV.
This year, the restyled dashboard is a model of minimalism. In addition to the available curved dual-display panel on the upper half of the dashboard, the only controls on the lower half reside on a dual-function touch-sensing panel. It provides access to the climate controls and other secondary functions and some may find it challenging to use while driving.
Ambient lighting is available, and it spans the width of the dashboard. In addition, illuminated seatbelt buckles make them easier to find and use after dark.
Depending on the configuration, the 2025 Carnival seats up to eight people. Models with a second-row bench include a Slide-Flex function, allowing the seat’s middle part to scoot forward. That way, it’s easier for parents to tend to a child seated there.
Choose the Carnival SX Prestige, and you can get the VIP Lounge Seat Package (seen above). It equips the minivan with two cushy, individually power-adjustable second-row seats with a relaxation mode offering reclining and an ottoman-style leg rest.
All versions of the Carnival, except for the SX Prestige, have removable second-row seats. With those stored in a safe location, this Kia can carry up to 145.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. That’s more than a Chevy Suburban!
In standard specification, the Carnival has a carryover 3.5-liter V6 engine making 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powers the minivan’s front wheels. Unfortunately, all-wheel drive is unavailable.
However, you can get a new turbocharged hybrid powertrain in the 2025 Kia Carnival HEV. It uses a 1.6-liter turbo four and a 54-kW electric motor to generate 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission powers the front wheels, so you don’t need to worry about a continuously variable transmission (CVT) droning with every push of the accelerator pedal.
In addition, when driving the 2025 Carnival HEV in Eco or Smart mode, you can use the paddles on the steering wheel to choose between three levels of regenerative braking deceleration force. The Carnival HEV also has exclusive E-Ride and E-Handling technologies to better manage the heavier model’s ride and handling traits.
Kia also upgraded the 2025 Carnival’s safety features this year. Newly available equipment includes intersection assistance, evasive steering assistance, and lane-change assistance.
Highway Driving Assist 2 is also available, giving the Carnival a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assist system that pairs the adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance and lane-change assistance functions. Drivers must keep their hands on the steering wheel for it to work.
The 2025 Carnival HEV also has E-Evasive Handling Assist, adding extra control when the driver makes a sudden emergency steering maneuver.
Kia says the standard dashboard setup includes a set of analog gauges with a 4.2-inch driver information display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Seven USB-C ports are accessible from all three rows of seats.
This year’s excitement pertains to the available curved dual-display panel containing a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation screen and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has a next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (CCNC) operating system promising faster response to inputs, and it allows over-the-air updates to its software. In addition, it offers Quick Controls to give you rapid access to frequently used features.
For the rear passengers, a Connected Car Rear Cockpit (CCRC) system equips the Carnival with two 14.6-inch high-resolution screens. Using this technology, passengers can stream content from popular platforms, use Bluetooth-paired headsets, and mirror external devices on the displays via the HDMI port.
The Carnival also features a new multi-zone voice recognition system that allows anyone in the minivan to say “Hey, Kia” to execute a command. Good idea? Bad idea? You decide.
Additional tech options include a full-color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and a digital key system for your smartphone or a smart card that you can carry like a credit card.
The 2025 Kia Carnival might be a minivan, but it offers plenty of innovation in a stylish SUV-adjacent wrapper. The Carnival HEV resolves one of the Kia’s competitive shortcomings compared to the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna and makes the Honda Odyssey the only model in the segment lacking an electrified powertrain. All the Carnival needs to bring to the party now is an optional all-wheel-drive system.
Kia is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of February 7, 2024, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with nearly 30 years of experience in test-driving vehicles. In addition to JDPower.com, his work has appeared in numerous new and used-car buying guides, newspapers, and automotive industry trade journals.
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