Specs for the New and Improved 2025 Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival made quite the splash when it initially launched, going by the name of an MPV, or Multi-Purpose Vehicle. Not quite an SUV, not a minivan, the Carnival offers consumers more options and capabilities than either of the two car segments. The automaker’s entry into the luxury car segment, the Carnival has a lot going for it. Now, as it enters the 2025 model year, the Carnival gets a number of changes, including a new hybrid powertrain.

Powertrain

The 2025 Kia Carnival still comes with the same lineup of trim levels – LX, LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige – and all are still powered by a 3.5-liter V6 GDI Lambda III engine, able to generate 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Consumers can expect a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, and because this is an MPV, the Carnival offers an impressive 3,500-pound towing capacity. If choosing to go a little green, the Carnival Hybrid comes in four trim levels – LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige – powered by a 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid engine paired with a 54kW motor, able to generate a combined output of 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Also impressive the Carnival Hybrid has a towing capacity of 2,500 pounds and fuel economy estimated 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Style

Kia continues to enrich its “Opposites United” design language with the Kia Carnival, featuring a chiseled front fascia with cube-like headlamps and Kia’s signature amber-colored Star Map daytime running lights. Its smooth surfaces and clean lines flow into the crisp contours of the Star Map taillights on the SX Prestige, with a number of geometric angles that give the Kia Carnival MPV a sharp appearance. 2025 also adds a “Dark Edition” appearance package with where the roof rails (available), skid plates, C-Pillar garnish, side door garnish, tailgate garnish, exterior side mirror covers, front grille, and wheels all come with a darker paint job like most “Blackout” appearance packages.

Inside, a curved panoramic dual-display features 24 inches of digital space with an available 12.3-inch full digital instrumentation cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. A little high tech, a full-color head-up display is available, able to project information from the cluster and navigation onto the windshield, an available Full Display Mirror can switch to a camera view, and the “Hey Kia!” virtual assistant returns with a multi-zone voice recognition feature so anyone in the car can give simple commands like adjusting the climate control system. Kia is going beyond simple vehicles these days, and the Carnival is a great example, offering an optional VIP Lounge Seat package that adds reclining seatbacks and a leg extension footrest with a single voice command. Able to seat 7- or 8- passengers with a Slide-Flex” sliding second row, the Carnival continues to offer its best-in-class 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row.

Tech

The technology in Kia models continues to impress. In the Kia Carnival, consumers get to experience Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system. Available with dual 14.6-inch monitors for full-HD resolution streaming, many other features can pop up thanks to the Kia Connect Store and over-the-air (OTA) updates). Phone projection has become increasingly popular, and now, consumers can connect their Bluetooth headsets and mirror the screen from external devices with an HDMI port. Also available is the advanced ultra-wideband-based Digital Key 2.0, a virtual key that lets consumers unlock their car hands free and send a digital key to friends and family who need to use the car via text message.

Safety is also a big deal for Kia. Ever since it introduced its driver assist suite, more standard and available Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have been added to the 2025 Kia Carnival. These include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, available Junction Crossing (FCA-JC), Lange-change Oncoming (FCA-LO); Lange-change Side (FCA-LS), Evasive Steering Assist (FCA-ESA), Highway Driving Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (N-SCC), and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA).

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Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media