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 Financial system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire 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 Sort | 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 sort: Common fuel
Base worth: $52,600 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($495)
Value as examined: $54,490
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Minivan practicality, best-in-class pricing
The great: Wonderful gasoline economic system, contemporary design
The not so good: No AWD, squeaky Third-row seats
Assessment
For 2025, Shopper 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 pleased with their vans.
Minivan Phase
That stated, the Pacifica has gotten costly over the previous few years, and although accessible with a hybrid powertrain, entry to that system is moreover expensive. For these causes, we suggest buyers on this class take the time to guage all 4 entries, as a result of every has its charms. A number 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 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 checklist, however Honda’s individuals mover has grown long-in-the-tooth, and isn’t identified for its gasoline economic system. That stated, the Odyssey rides and handles nicely, and due to its stout V6 engine is well probably 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 accessible 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 useful nature, approachable base costs, and excellent real-world gasoline economic 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 structure head the checklist of adjustments for the brand new 12 months. Carnival joins the lengthy checklist of autos now sporting a single, contiguous infotainment/instrument-panel touchscreen, which cleans up the sprint a bit, and customarily simplifies utilization.
Engines
The large Carnival information for 2025 comes beneath 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 standard 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
(By way of worth, it’s value noting that the least-expensive Carnival Hybrid is available in simply $240 increased 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 accessible with lots of the facilities discovered on the Pacifica.)
Shopper Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of the 2025 SX Status Hybrid in Ceramic Silver. All advised, together with vacation spot cost, our check van got here to $54,490.
Room and Consolation
Like each minivan presently supplied 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 house to maneuver a school freshman from dwelling 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 setups, and the up to date system stays simple to learn and uncomplicated to make use of.
Moving into the Carnival front-seating row is simple sufficient, and there’s loads of house as soon as seated. Second-row lodging are equally beneficiant. The usual center-row seats are very snug, and accommodate three passengers. The accessible “VIP Lounge” seats swap the 3-across setup for a pair of captains chairs which could be troublesome to take away. If you happen to go for the 2-passenger association, be certain that your salesperson demonstrates extract the seats from the van–do you have to ever want to take action.
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 house 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 typically 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 journey as easily, or cruise as quietly because the class-leading Pacifica. The Carnival does deal with nicely, although, and is mostly somewhat extra enjoyable to push than the opposite vans, save for the Odyssey. Sadly, the Bose-brand audio system, customary on the EX Status, sounds positive, however doesn’t stay 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 might battle to outdo the competitors in any key substantive class—apart 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 occasion pad,” considering it the proper minivan for dad’s who want a pleasing, stigma-free journey for day by day commuting, and a kid-friendly van for weekend visitations. Going hybrid and saving cash on fuel 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 notice 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 buyers on this section check drive all of the fashions accessible, paying attention to simple of entry, trim degree costs, and the price of issues like rear-seat leisure techniques. Particular person wants will play a key function in pricing, and sadly, minivans can get very costly. That stated, don’t overlook the Carnival, there’s rather a lot right here to love.
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2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status Photos
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2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium S Look: Assessment, Costs and Specs