The Kia Carnival Is A Bold One, Embracing Both, The Minivan And SUV
India-West Staff Reporter
IRVINE, CA – The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid is shaking things up in the world of family vehicles. While minivans have often been the unsung heroes of family travel, they’ve struggled to capture the attention of younger buyers who lean toward SUVs. Recognizing this shift in preferences, Kia has cleverly rebranded its best-selling Carnival as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that combines the spaciousness of a minivan with a sleek, SUV-inspired package.
At first glance itself, Carnival leans aggressively into the SUV aesthetic. The standouts as you walk around the vehicle even before getting behind the wheel is the bold and sculptural grille, and the intricate, cube-like headlamps. The vertical LED headlights, and the rear hatch adorned with sleek LED taillights, ensures you are not thinking about a minivan. Hit the road with style it says.
But it has been careful to retain the practicality of the space and adjustment that minivans come equipped with. For those who opt for the VIP Lounge Seat package, second-row passengers can activate their seat’s relaxation mode with a single voice command, reclining the seatback and deploying the leg extension for a first-class experience on family trips. It has 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row with several options of removable second-row seats and fold-in-floor third-row seats.
So much for look and space. The Carnival Hybrid offers an exceptional driving experience as well. Its six-speed automatic transmission ensures a smooth ride, whether you’re driving from Irvine, CA, to Temecula, CA, on winding roads or on freeways, as we did.
The vehicle boasts an impressive 33 mpg in combined driving, according to EPA estimates, which is sure to appeal to the environmentally conscious. Under the hood, the Carnival Hybrid features a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 74-horsepower electric motor, producing a total output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque.
Behind the wheel, the cabin feels just as sophisticated as the exterior. The panoramic curved display merges the driver’s and infotainment screens into a seamless unit, providing a tech-savvy environment. An optional, but very useful and slightly delightful, full-color head-up display projects navigation information. The vast array of cameras enhances visibility, allowing users to switch to a camera view with a quick flick of the lower tab.
The Carnival also has what it takes to sell to the millennial: Six standard USB-C ports are conveniently located throughout the cabin, while two power outlets and two 115V inverters serve as additional power sources for devices.
With 14.6-inch screens for each rear-seat passenger, streaming channels make binge-watching on long drives a breeze, ensuring everyone stays entertained on the road. The user interface could be more intuitive; it combines audio and climate controls, and you might end up with a warmer cabin than louder music.
The 2025 Kia Carnival is available in five trims: LX (base model with essential features), LXS (adds convenience features), EX (includes premium features), SX (offers upscale options), and SX Prestige (top-tier luxury). All trims except the LX offer a hybrid powertrain option for an additional $2,000, making it an accessible choice for families looking to save on fuel costs.
Starting at $41,895, the Carnival Hybrid’s competitive price point extends to the luxurious SX Prestige variant, which reaches $53,995. Opting for the hybrid powertrain only adds $2,000 to each trim level, making it an attractive choice for environmentally conscious families.
With its impressive fuel economy, spacious interior, and chic design, it’s clear Kia is appealing to the younger generation that demands both modern aesthetics and practical functionality.
If you’re in the market for a family vehicle that stands out from the crowd and offers a hint of that SUV allure, the Carnival Hybrid might just be your new favorite ride.
