Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status
Specs
Class: Minivan
Nation of Manufacture: South Korea
Coloration: Ceramic Silver
Seating Capability: 8
Miles pushed: 110
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 38.0 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Economic system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 242-horsepower 1.6-liter |
| Engine Kind | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 34/31/33 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $52,600 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($495)
Value as examined: $54,490
Execs and Cons
The good: Minivan practicality, best-in-class pricing
The great: Glorious gasoline economic system, recent design
The not so good: No AWD, squeaky Third-row seats
Overview
For 2025, Client Information named the Chrysler Pacifica its Minivan Finest Purchase. The explanations for this are many, however the major drivers are the Pacifica’s long-haul consolation, refined cabin, and it’s now legendary Stow’n Go seating and storage system. This writer is aware of first hand that Pacifica homeowners are famously proud of their vans.
Minivan Section
That stated, the Pacifica has gotten costly over the previous couple of years, and although obtainable with a hybrid powertrain, entry to that system is moreover expensive. For these causes, we advocate buyers on this class take the time to guage all 4 entries, as a result of every has its charms. Just a few ideas on every:
Chrysler Pacifica
Base Value: $44,445
Hybrid Base Value: $53,050
AWD: Out there
The Pacifica shines when it comes to consolation and refinement, however going hybrid means spending north of $53,000 for the plug-in hybrid system, which is probably going extra dedication than most minivan buyers are in search of.
Honda Odyssey
Base Value: $43,670
Hybrid Base Value: N/A
AWD: N/A
As massive and roomy as any of the opposite vans on this record, however Honda’s folks mover has robe long-in-the-tooth, and isn’t recognized for its gasoline economic system. That stated, the Odyssey rides and handles nicely, and due to its stout V6 engine is definitely essentially the most rewarding to drive.
Toyota Sienna
Base Value: $40,635
Hybrid Base Value: $40,635
AWD: Out there
Toyota’s well-loved Sienna went all-hybrid final 12 months, and is the one minivan obtainable with a hybrid drivetrain and AWD. Whereas the Sienna cabin can seem a bit pedestrian, particularly in comparison with that of the Carnival and Pacifica, the van itself shines due to its purposeful nature, approachable base costs, and excellent real-world gasoline economic system.
And what of the Kia Carnival?
Updates for 2025
All new for 2022, the Carnival has been handled to an replace for 2025. Tweaked exterior styling and a brand new dashboard structure head the record of adjustments for the brand new 12 months. Carnival joins the lengthy record of automobiles now sporting a single, contiguous infotainment/instrument-panel touchscreen, which cleans up the sprint a bit, and customarily simplifies utilization.
Engines
The Carnival information for 2025 comes below the hood, nevertheless. Becoming a member of the van’s venerable 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is a brand new hybrid possibility. The hybrid system incorporates a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and a pair of electrical motors for a mixed system output of 242 horsepower. An 8-speed computerized transmission mates to the V6, whereas hybrid fashions include a 6-speed auto.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For ’25, the Carnival is obtainable in 5 typical and 4 hybrid trim ranges. Right here’s the breakdown:
- LX: $38,235
- LXS: $40,235
- LXS Hybrid: $42,235
- EX: $42,435
- EX Hybrid: $44,435
- SX: 47,335
- SX Status: $52,335
- SX Status Hybrid: $54,335
(When it comes to worth, it’s value noting that the least-expensive Carnival Hybrid is available in simply $240 greater than Chrysler’s fleet/rental particular Voyager mannequin ($41,995), which can’t be had with a hybrid powertrain. For 2025, the Voyager is on the market for retail sale, although isn’t obtainable with lots of the facilities discovered on the Pacifica.)
Client Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of the 2025 SX Status Hybrid in Ceramic Silver. All informed, together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at van got here to $54,490.
Room and Consolation
Like each minivan at present supplied on the market within the U.S., the Carnival boasts family-pleasing options together with a roomy 2nd seating row, adult-friendly 3rd seating row, and sufficient cargo area to maneuver a school freshman from residence to campus in a single journey. And like each different minivan, the Carnival does these items whereas serving up loads of consolation, and customarily simple driving.
We applaud the up to date infotainment setup. We’ve lengthy been followers of Kia’s easy touch-screen setup, and the up to date system stays simple to learn and uncomplicated to make use of.
Getting into the Carnival front-seating row is straightforward sufficient, and there’s loads of area as soon as seated. Second-row lodging are equally beneficiant. The usual center-row seats are very comfy, and accommodate three passengers. The obtainable “VIP Lounge” seats swap the 3-across setup for a pair of captains chairs which could be tough to take away. Should you go for the 2-passenger association, be certain your salesperson demonstrates how you can extract the seats from the van.
Accessing the threerd-row means sliding the center-row seats ahead, an motion which requires somewhat extra muscle than we anticipated. The trail rearward is somewhat slender, however passenger area within the way-back seating space could be very beneficiant, with loads of grownup head- and knee room—even with the middle row adjusted rearward.
Energy and Efficiency
Underway the Carnival performs nicely. There’s loads of energy from the hybrid drivetrain, with ample pull from a cease, and sufficient muscle for freeway passing and merging maneuvers, even with an honest load of individuals and stuff. The engine sounds usually refined when pushed, and quiets down properly on the freeway. And, over 100 miles, we common a stable 38 mpg, comfortably exceeding the EPA mixed estimate for the Carnival Hybrid.
Journey and Dealing with
Journey consolation is about class regular, with most street imperfections absorbed with little drama. That stated, the Carnival doesn’t experience as easily, or cruise as quietly because the class-leading Pacifica. The Carnival does deal with nicely, although, and is usually somewhat extra enjoyable to push than the opposite vans, save for the Odyssey. Sadly, the Bose-brand audio system, normal on the EX Status, sounds effective, however doesn’t dwell as much as its billing as a premium system.
We did pay attention to a disappointing rattle from the cargo space when the threerd-row seats had been laid flat. Returning the seatbacks to their upright place eradicated the noise.
Design
Whereas the Carnival might wrestle to outdo the competitors in any key substantive class—apart from value—there’s one other metric by which Kia’s folks mover leads the pack: It’s cool. Cool trying, and funky to drive.
Whereas the Chrysler is arguably good trying, it nonetheless appears to be like like a minivan. However the Kia comes off trying like a crossover, and a pleasant crossover at that. Mix the cool exterior design with the trendy cabin, and the Kia wins the anti-minivan-stigma contest arms down.
This editor has dubbed the Carnival the “bachelor-dad occasion pad,” pondering it the proper minivan for dad’s who want a pleasing, stigma-free experience for each day commuting, and a kid-friendly van for weekend visitations. Going hybrid and saving cash on gasoline is only a good bonus.
Worth
Be aware once more, the Carnival can’t be had with AWD, which can be a demerit for folk within the Snowbelt, however be aware that minivans, even with out AWD, are normal fairly succesful within the white stuff.
Whereas the Carnival doesn’t match the Pacifica for refinement, it prices lower than that Chrysler, and appears cooler, too. We strongly recommend that buyers on this section take a look at drive all of the fashions obtainable, paying attention to simple of entry, trim stage costs, and to match the price of issues like rear-seat leisure. Particular person wants will play a key position in pricing, and sadly, minivans can get very costly. That stated, don’t overlook the Carnival, there’s lots right here to love.
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2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium S Look: Overview, Costs and Specs