The 2025 Kia Carnival is not your typical minivan. It is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that combines the spaciousness and versatility of a minivan with the style and performance of an SUV. And for the first time, it offers an optional turbo-hybrid powertrain that delivers 242 horsepower and 37 mpg combined.
What is the 2025 Kia Carnival?
The 2025 Kia Carnival is the fourth generation of Kia’s best-selling MPV, which debuted in 1998. It is also the first Kia vehicle to bear the new Kia logo, symbolizing the brand’s transformation and innovation.
The Kia Carnival is available in four trim levels: LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. It can seat up to eight passengers or seven with the available second-row VIP Lounge Seats. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 145.1 cubic feet, with the second and third rows folded or 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row.
The new Kia Carnival is built on the same platform as the Kia K5 and Kia Sorento, which gives it a more rigid and lightweight structure. It also has a longer wheelbase, a wider stance, and a shorter front overhang than the previous model, resulting in a more dynamic and balanced appearance.
The Kia Carnival features a bold and distinctive design that Kia calls the “SUV-inspired design language.” It has a tiger nose grille, LED headlights and taillights, black A-pillars, and chrome C-pillars that create a floating roof effect. It also has a metallic bumper garnish, roof rails, and 19-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its rugged and sporty character.
What is the 2025 Kia Carnival’s turbo-hybrid powertrain?
The 2025 Kia Carnival’s most notable innovation is the optional turbo-hybrid powertrain, available on the EX and SX trims. It consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 44-kW electric motor paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The system has a combined output of 242 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The turbo-hybrid powertrain uses a 1.49-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery under the second-row seats. The battery can be recharged by the engine, regenerative braking, or plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet. The system can operate in three modes: EV, HEV, and Auto. In EV mode, the vehicle can run on electric power only for short distances. In HEV mode, the minivan can switch between the engine and the electric motor depending on the driving conditions. In Auto mode, the vehicle can optimize power delivery and fuel efficiency by using both the engine and the electric motor.
The turbo-hybrid powertrain offers several benefits over the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-hybrid powertrain has a higher fuel economy rating of 37 mpg combined, compared to 25 mpg for the V6 engine. The turbo-hybrid powertrain also has a lower carbon footprint, emitting 158 grams of CO2 per mile, compared to 222 grams of CO2 per mile for the V6 engine.
The turbo-hybrid powertrain does not compromise the 2025 Kia Carnival’s performance or capability. The turbo-hybrid powertrain can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, which is only 0.1 seconds slower than the V6 engine. The turbo-hybrid powertrain can also tow up to 3,500 pounds, like the V6 engine.
What are the 2025 Kia Carnival’s other features and technologies?
The 2025 Kia Carnival is a hybrid MPV and a smart and connected MPV. It offers a range of features and technologies that enhance the comfort, convenience, safety, and entertainment of the driver and passengers.
Some of the features and technologies that are standard or available on the 2025 Kia Carnival are:
- A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, navigation, SiriusXM radio, and UVO link connectivity.
- A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster can display various information and settings, such as the blind-spot view monitor, the surround view monitor, and the drive mode selector.
- A Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers, a center speaker, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier.
- A rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.1-inch touchscreens that can play movies, games, and music and mirror the front infotainment system.
- A tri-zone automatic climate control system with rear controls and vents for all three rows.
- A wireless smartphone charger and nine USB ports throughout the cabin.
- A smart power tailgate that can open automatically when the key fob is detected near the vehicle's rear.
- A smart key with remote engine start, remote door lock and unlock, and panic alarm functions.
- A dual-pane sunroof that spans the first and second rows.
- A heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats.
- A second-row VIP Lounge Seats with power recline, power leg rests, heating and ventilation, and wing-out headrests.
- A third-row power folding and unfolding seats.
- A driver’s seat integrated memory system that can store and recall the driver’s seat, outside mirror, and steering wheel positions.
- A smart cruise control with stop and go that can automatically adjust the speed and distance to the vehicle ahead.
- A forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction detection that can warn and apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate a collision.
- A blind-spot collision-avoidance assist that can warn and apply the brakes to prevent a collision with a vehicle in the blind spot.
- A rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist that can warn and apply the brakes to prevent a collision with a vehicle crossing from behind when reversing.
- A lane-following assist can keep the vehicle centered in the lane and follow the curve of the road.
- A lane-keeping assist that can warn and steer the vehicle back to the lane if it detects an unintentional lane departure.
- A driver attention warning can monitor the driver’s behavior and alert the driver to take a break if it detects signs of fatigue or inattention.
- A highway driving assist that can adjust the speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and the speed limit and assist the steering to keep the minivan in the center of the lane on highways.
- A safe exit assist can warn the driver and passengers if it detects a vehicle approaching from behind when opening the doors.
- A rear occupant alert can remind the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle and send a notification to the driver’s smartphone if it detects movement in the rear seats after the car is locked.
- A parking collision-avoidance assist that can warn and apply the brakes to prevent a collision with an obstacle when parking.
