When Kia retired the Sedona name and introduced the all-new Carnival in 2021, this minivan or MPV became one of our favorites in the segment. For 2025, it sees a mid cycle refresh with a host of new updates including new looks, new tech, and a highly anticipated hybrid powertrain.

I’m here in Detroit, Michigan to get a First Look at the new 2025 Kia Carnival.

We know that minivans get a lot of flack but the Carnival is arguably the best-looking one that you can buy. This refresh includes updated styling in the front with new headlamps, grille, and bumper. The rear also sees refreshed looks with new tail lamps, tailgate, bumper, and spoiler. Plus new wheels.

You might remember that we spent an entire year with a 2022 Carnival as part of our long term test fleet. While we loved our time with it, the 22.6 miles-per-gallon that we averaged over 21,000 miles wasn’t ideal. So we were happy to hear that a hybrid powertrain will be available for 2025.

So standard powertrain is still the 3.5-liter V6 but now this hybrid powertrain is the 1.6-liter turbo-4. It’s paired with a 54 kW motor. Now, that is significantly more than what is found in the hybrid Sorento. We also have the 6-speed automatic which is what Kia likes to put in their hybrid powertrains.

Now you’re going to see 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. So it’s a little less powerful, horsepower-wise than the V6 but it is more torquey. So it will be really interesting to see how this compares.

No official fuel economy numbers are out just yet but Kia is aiming for up to 32 miles-per-gallon. That’s a huge boost over the V6 that gets 22 MPGs combined and that slots the Carnival hybrid between the Pacific PHEV and Sienna…respectively. The hybrid powertrain is available on all Carnival trims except the base LX.

Kia’s MPV still only comes in front-wheel drive so for those buyers who need all-wheel drive, you’ll still have to look elsewhere. Towing capacity remains the same at 3,500-lbs.

The Carnival already had a really nice interior but Kia has made some noteworthy updates here to make it even nicer. We have a new curved panoramic display with the digital cluster and the infotainment system. And then the center stack area has just been freed up, lots of space. We have larger cup holders which is really nice. And coming up here we have the very familiar climate and navigation areas that we have seen on lots of Kia models. And then I love the ambient lighting that we have here. That is the first time available here on the Carnival and it just gives such a nice touch. Overall all the updates have made it even more luxurious than before.

Wireless smartphone integration is standard with the new dual 12.3-inch displays and Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit software.

Seating is standard for 8-passengers but the VIP lounge chairs are still available on higher trims as well as a new rear entertainment system with dual 14.6-inch monitors to stream content from all major platforms.

All standard safety systems have been updated to the latest iterations and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 system is now standard on SX and SX Prestige trims.

The 2025 Kia Carnival will start just under $38,000 after destination, the hybrid will start just under $42,000. And you should expect to see them in dealers later this summer.

We’ll have more on the refreshed Carnival when we have a chance to get behind the wheel soon but until then, keep it locked right here on MotorWeek.