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 financial 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 degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” 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 Sort | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 34/31/33 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common gasoline
Base worth: $52,600 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($495)
Value as examined: $54,490
Execs and Cons
The nice: Minivan practicality, best-in-class pricing
The great: Glorious gasoline financial system, recent design
The not so good: No AWD, squeaky Third-row seats
Assessment
For 2025, Client Information named the Chrysler Pacifica its Minivan Greatest 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 Phase
That stated, the Pacifica has gotten costly over the previous couple of years, and although out there with a hybrid powertrain, entry to that system is moreover pricey. For these causes, we suggest consumers on this class take the time to judge all 4 entries, as a result of every has its charms. A couple of ideas on section:
Chrysler Pacifica
Base Value: $44,445
Hybrid Base Value: $53,050
AWD: Obtainable
The Pacifica shines by way of 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 consumers are on the lookout for.
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 checklist, however Honda’s individuals mover has grown long-in-the-tooth, and isn’t identified for its gasoline financial system. That stated, the Odyssey rides and handles properly, 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: Obtainable
Toyota’s well-loved Sienna went all-hybrid final 12 months, and is the one minivan out there 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 because of its practical nature, approachable base costs, and excellent real-world gasoline financial system.
And what of the Kia Carnival?
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 format head the checklist of modifications for the brand new 12 months. Carnival joins the lengthy checklist of automobiles now sporting a single, contiguous infotainment/instrument-panel touchscreen, which cleans up the sprint a bit, and usually simplifies utilization.
Engines
The large Carnival information for 2025 comes below the hood, nonetheless. Becoming a member of the van’s venerable 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is a brand new hybrid choice. 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 price 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 offered for retail sale, although isn’t out there with lots of the facilities discovered on the Pacifica.)
Client Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of the 2025 SX Status Hybrid in Ceramic Silver. All instructed, together with vacation spot cost, our check van got here to $54,490.
Room and Consolation
Like each minivan at present provided on the market within the U.S., the Carnival boasts family-pleasing options together with a roomy center 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 usually straightforward driving.
We applaud the up to date infotainment setup. We’ve lengthy been followers of Kia’s easy touch-screen setups, and the up to date system stays straightforward 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 snug, and accommodate three passengers. The out there “VIP Lounge” seats swap the 3-across setup for a pair of captains chairs which could be troublesome to take away. When you go for the 2-passenger association, make sure that your salesperson demonstrates how one can extract the seats from the van–must you ever want to take action.
Accessing the threerd-row means sliding the center-row seats ahead, an motion which requires a bit extra muscle than we anticipated. The trail rearward is a bit slim, however passenger area within the way-back seating space may 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 properly. 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 a good load of individuals and stuff. The engine sounds usually refined when pushed, and quiets down properly on the freeway. And, over 100 miles, we averaged a stable 38 mpg, comfortably exceeding the EPA mixed estimate for the Carnival Hybrid.
Experience and Dealing with
Experience consolation is about class regular, with most highway 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 properly, although, and is usually a bit extra enjoyable to push than the opposite vans, save for the Odyssey. Sadly, the Bose-brand audio system, commonplace on the EX Status, sounds superb, 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 have been laid flat. Returning the seatbacks to their upright place eradicated the noise.
Design
Whereas the Carnival could battle to outdo the competitors in any key substantive class—aside from worth—there’s one other metric by which Kia’s individuals mover leads the pack: It’s cool. Cool wanting, and funky to drive.
Whereas the Chrysler is arguably good wanting, it nonetheless seems to be like a minivan. However the Kia comes off wanting 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 palms down.
This editor has dubbed the Carnival the “bachelor-dad get together pad,” considering it the proper minivan for dad’s who want a pleasing, stigma-free experience for every day commuting, and a kid-friendly van for weekend visitations. Going hybrid and saving cash on gasoline is only a good bonus.
Worth
Word once more, the Carnival can’t be had with AWD, which can be a demerit for folk within the Snowbelt. However word that minivans, even with out AWD, are common 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 consumers on this section check drive all of the fashions out there, paying attention to straightforward of entry, trim degree costs, and the price of issues like rear-seat leisure techniques. 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 quite a bit right here to love.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium S Look: Assessment, Costs and Specs
