It’s a minivan, it’s a SUV, it is in fact a MPV! The 2025 Kia Carnival. We got invited out to San Diego, CA to hop in the driver’s seat of this updated 4th generation Kia minivan. What’s the big deal about this update you may ask, well that would be the new Hybrid model!

The Carnival has a newly available 1.6 liter turbo hybrid engine that is then paired with a 54kW motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. This fuel efficient combo offers a total output of 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque and an EPA estimated 33 mpg combined. An impressive 50% gain over the 2022 Carnival V6 that spent a year in our Long Term fleet. Further, this adventurous hybrid family hauler can still tow up to 2,500 lbs!

The interior is refined, comfortable, relaxing, and makes you feel right at home! The Carnival offers both 7 and 8 passenger seating arrangements. With the 7 passenger you get two captains chairs that can recline with a leg rest to really put you at ease. You are greeted by a curved panoramic dual-display. Two 12.3 inch screens are now seamlessly placed side by side to create one continuous panel. UltraModern is a term the team at Kia would use to describe the feeling of being inside the vehicle, and they were not wrong. With loads of next-gen technology like the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system and newly available Connected Car Rear Cockpit system to upgrade and elevate the experience of everyone in the car from the first row to the third.

While on the road we spent our time equally split between southern California freeways, and the mountainous winding roads outside of the city. While on those large freeways the Carnival tucks in nicely and quickly becomes, at least for me, one of my favorite road trip cars. Smooth steering, ample performance, endless safety features. While in this vehicle You get the real sense that you and your passengers are in good hands.

Pricing for the 2025 Kia Carnival HEV starts are $40,500 for the LXS and up to $52,600 for the SX Prestige before destination charge.

We will have a much more in depth review of this Carnival for you down the road, so until then, Keep it locked, right here on MotorWeek.