- The 2025 Kia Carnival is starting to arrive at U.S. dealerships and pricing begins at $36,500.
- The all-new Carnival Hybrid carries a $2,000 premium and will set you back at least $40,500.
- The facelifted minivan has revised styling and new technology.
Kia introduced the 2025 Carnival earlier this year and now the automaker has announced pricing will begin at $36,500. That’s a significant jump as its predecessor began at $33,600.
So what does the extra $2,900 get you? Revised styling, updated technology, and an all-new hybrid variant.
More: 2025 Kia Carnival Rocks A Swankier Face And Goes Hybrid
Kicking things off is the entry-level Carnival LX, which has a wider grille that is flanked by vertical LED headlights. Buyers will also find power sliding rear doors, tinted windows, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Moving inside, there’s a 4.2-inch cluster display and an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The seven-seat minivan also has cloth upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system.
The minivan comes with a host of standard driver assistance systems including Highway Driving Assist and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. They’re joined by Forward Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, and Lane Keeping Assist / Lane Following Assist. Other systems include Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist, and Parking Distance Warning.
At the other end of the spectrum is the range-topping Carnival SX Prestige. It begins at $50,600 and is distinguished by dark trim, a power liftgate, dual sunroofs, and black 19-inch wheels.
Bigger changes occur inside as the van is loaded with features including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching 12.3-inch infotainment system. They’re joined by heated and ventilated leather front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and faux wood trim. Other niceties include a digital rearview mirror, a wireless smartphone charger, a 115V outlet, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The SX Prestige is also notable for offering second-row VIP lounge seats, which have heating and ventilation as well as a one-touch relaxation mode.
On the safety front, there are a few extra features including Highway Driving Assist 2, a Surround View Monitor, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. They’re joined by an in-car camera and intercom system.
Regular models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which enables the minivan to return 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Buyers looking for something more fuel-efficient can opt for the all-new Carnival Hybrid. It skips the entry-level LX trim and begins at $40,500 in LXS guise.
That’s significantly more than the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna, which begins at $37,685. However, it’s important to note the Carnival Hybrid comes better equipped as buyers will find faux heated leather front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. That being said, the Toyota has a larger 9-inch display.
The big news is the hybrid powertrain, which consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery, and a six-speed automatic transmission. This gives the model a combined output of 242 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) and 271 lb-ft (367 Nm) of torque. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t released fuel economy ratings yet.
However, the model should sip fuel thanks to its hybrid powertrain and aerodynamically optimized design. Speaking of the latter, the van has active air flaps, aerodynamic wheels, and a regenerative braking system.