2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid Review: Thoughtful Enhancements Elevate An Already Impressive Minivan | Carscoops

      Kia has introduced new aesthetics, updated technology, and a hybrid powertrain that make this Carnival even more enjoyable.

      **By Stephen Rivers**

      **Pros:** Stylish appearance, outstanding technology, good fuel efficiency, high-quality interior, strong warranty coverage.

      **Cons:** Frustrating climate control system, impractical lounge seating, less cargo space compared to top competitors.

      Kia maintains that the Carnival is not a minivan but rather a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Regardless of the label you assign it, its primary purpose remains transporting people and cargo comfortably and efficiently. Despite being relatively new to the market, Kia has decided it’s time for a significant update.

      For the 2025 model year, the Carnival now comes with a hybrid option, a refreshed exterior design at both ends, and numerous interior enhancements. The infotainment system has become faster and more user-friendly, the safety features have been improved, and overall, it presents a more refined package. But why such a considerable update so quickly?

      We had the chance to drive the original Carnival less than two years ago and found it quite enjoyable. Has Kia built upon its strengths, or have they overdone it with excessive refinements? To discover the answer, we recently tested the updated model for a week.

      We often filled it with people, drove it through various conditions on highways and city streets, and even utilized it for transporting equipment and furniture. Our observations revealed that while Kia made a few minor errors, the overall picture is evident—this minivan (or MPV) has evolved from very good to truly outstanding.

      **Quick Facts**

      A Minivan Aspiring to be an SUV

      Perhaps the most noticeable change in the Carnival is its exterior appearance. This people mover resembles an SUV more than ever. In fact, after driving it back-to-back with the Sorento, it essentially looks like a larger variant of the smaller three-row SUV. The headlights and taillights now feature Kia’s latest design with elongated light bars and sharp angles.

      The redesigned Carnival showcases a significant amount of darkened body components, and in our case, black wheels, contributing to a more rugged aesthetic. To me, it stands out as quite attractive compared to other competitors in this segment. It feels like the most cohesive and contemporary exterior design among minivans currently available.

      An Interior Designed for Everyday Life (Mostly)

      The Carnival’s revamped interior may be the aspect families appreciate the most. Numerous small adjustments enhance the overall experience. The dashboard has a cleaner design that simplifies the location of controls. The infotainment system continues to be a highlight, offering quick responses and native compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

      The seating is both comfortable and spacious, with the second row being particularly noteworthy. Our test vehicle came with the 40/20/40 split second-row bench, which was excellent. When only two passengers are in the back, the middle seat can fold down to serve as a table/cup holder. The real magic occurs when there are three passengers since the one in the middle can choose how to sit.

      By that, we mean they can either gather in the third row or use the in-floor sliding mechanism to push the middle second-row seat all the way back, providing them with the best legroom available. Moreover, the third row is quite decent. Not only does it fold completely flat into the floor, but it’s also comfortable when in use. Every passenger in this specific Carnival enjoyed the benefits of the dual sunroof that opens fully.

      It’s also noteworthy that Kia seems to have heeded feedback from those who criticized the use of piano-black plastic in the cabin. While there are still some areas that are prone to smudging and fingerprints, their prevalence has been significantly reduced compared to the 2024 model.

      However, not all changes are beneficial. For the 2025 model, the Carnival features the same climate control system as several other Kias introduced since 2022. It works well, but it requires users to switch between it and the media controls, which cannot be accessed simultaneously.

      That’s likely a minor inconvenience that drivers will adapt to over time, but after testing multiple Kias, I still occasionally increase the heat when I aim to adjust the volume. It’s frustrating, and as noted in previous reviews, there’s an opportunity for a second row of buttons that would alleviate this issue.

      Other minor complaints have mostly been resolved for the 2025 Carnival. For instance, the lounge chairs that were previously standard on certain trims are now optional. This change is beneficial because, while they are extremely comfortable for long trips, they’re rather impractical as they cannot be removed or stowed.

      With that settled, let’s discuss storage. The Carnival provides up to 40 cubic feet behind the third row, which is impressive by most SUV standards. In fact, it’s just 1.5 cubic feet short of the space behind the third row of a Cadillac Escalade ESV. The Kia accommodates the