For the year 2025, Kia has given an update to the Carnival minivan with a mild exterior makeover and a new hybrid powertrain option.
The refreshed 2025 Kia Carnival is here and gets sophisticated design enhancements, next-gen technology as well as an optional turbo-hybrid powertrain. The minivan is now more appealing than before and a bit more environmentally friendly, only if you want to spread a bit extra. The aforementioned additions come at a price but the USPs of the Carnival which include top-notch tech, ultimate comfort and a styling stane is retained.
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2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid: New Hybrid Powertrain
The base Kia Carnival uses the familiar 3.5 litre V6 GDI engine putting out 287 bhp and it is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, channelling power to the front wheels. The new hybrid Carnival draws power from a small capacity 1.6-litre turbo engine mated to a 54kW electric motor, putting out 242 bhp and 271 pound-feet of peak torque. The hybrid is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Carnival Hybrid also costs more than the regular model and will set you back by $2000 extra.
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid: Price MSRP (excludes $1,395 destination)
Carnival LX- $36,500
Carnival LXS- $38,500
Carnival EX- $40,700
Carnival SX- $45,600
Carnival SX Prestige- $50,600
Carnival Hybrid LXS- $40,500
Carnival Hybrid EX- $42,700
Carnival Hybrid SX- $47,600
Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige- $52,600
For the base-spec LX trim, the starting price of the 2025 Kia Carnival has gone up by $2,900 while the range-topping SX Prestige in the regular V6 guise costs $3,900 more than before. The LXS will serve as the entry point to the Hybrid range of the 2025 Kia Carnival.
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid: Styling and Feature Upgrades
For the 2025 model year, the Carnival’s updated design language combines bold exterior elements with a sleek, high-tech interior. Notable features include a grand sculptural grille, intricately detailed cube-like headlights, Kia’s signature Star Map lighting in the front and rear, and geometric wheel designs ranging from available 17- to 19-inches (EX trims and above get standard 19-inch wheels).
Inside, a standard dashboard panel integrates a 4.2-inch TFT and 12.3-inch screen with standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. EX trims and above feature a fully digital instrumentation upgrade with a 12.3-inch cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment and navigation displays on a curved panoramic panel. Six standard USB-C ports are conveniently located throughout the cabin in all three rows, while two power outlets and two 115V inverters (on SX and SX-P only) serve as additional power sources.
The 2025 Carnival also gets the Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system, allowing it to receive over-the-air updates. The minivan also features a Connected Car Rear Cockpit (ccRC) Rear Entertainment System with dual 14.6-inch monitors and full HD resolution which can stream from popular platforms, with the potential to add future content over the air.