Kia’s taking the fight to the Toyota Sienna with the 2025-model Carnival.
You wouldn’t normally call a minivan “distinctive”, but that’s what Kia is aiming for through a mid-cycle refresh of its minivan. The 2025 models get new LED headlights, running lights and a larger grille design to match the brand’s SUVs, but that’s not all that’s coming this time around. Instead of just talking about a styling update and adding some more tech to the mix, the 2025 Kia Carnival finally gets a hybrid powertrain option.
I say “finally”, because the Toyota Sienna (and, to an extent, the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV) has cornered this market if you’re looking for a more efficient option. Kia announced full pricing for the updated lineup Monday, including the Carnival Hybrid’s starting price tag of $41,895 with Kia’s $1,395 destination fee. Don’t worry, there is still a cheaper V6 option, but let’s start with the hybrid variant first.
Like the Sorento Hybrid, Kia’s brought the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor to the Carnival, as well. Add them together, and you get a respectable 242 horsepower (to the Sienna’s 245 hp) and 271 lb-ft of torque, though exact fuel economy numbers are not available just yet. (For reference, the V6 model manages 18 City / 26 Highway / 21 Combined mpg, while the all-hybrid Sienna FWD manages 36 mpg across the board.)
The more affordable V6 option gets pricier, as well
At the absolute entry-level trim, the 2025 Kia Carnival LX is still available, though it starts off $2,900 more expensive than it did for 2024. Base pricing now starts at $37,895. Under the hood, gas-only versions of the Carnival still get a 3.5-liter V6, though this time official numbers come in a bit lower, at 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque (versus 290 hp/262 lb-ft before). While the Hybrid uses a 6-speed automatic transmission, the V6 model still uses an 8-speed automatic to get power to the front wheels.
Like before, all-wheel drive is not on the menu for the gas model or the Carnival Hybrid.
Above the base LX, the LXS is still available, with pricing starting at $39,895 for the V6 or the aforementioned $41,895 for the hybrid powertrain. The LXS adds to the feature set to include a power-adjustable driver’s seat and opens up eight-passenger seating.
From the LXS onward, the Carnival Hybrid follows the standard gas model, as far as the trim walk is concerned. The mid-range EX is next up on the list, starting at $42,095 ($44,095 for the Hybrid). The gas-powered EX gets $1,600 more expensive, and adds in larger 19-inch alloys, roof rails and some more tech features like a smart power liftgate.
At the top of the range, there are the SX and SX Prestige trims for $46,995 or $51,995 ($48,995 and $53,995 respectively for the Hybrid). Again, the 3.5-liter-equipped Carnival gets more expensive across the board, with the SX adding in LED fog lights, 115-volt power points and dual sunroofs. The SX Prestige again gets more creature comforts like a heated steering wheel, as well as dark chrome trim to make it stand out from the lesser trims in the pack.
The gas-only version of the 2025 Kia Carnival is available to build right now on Kia’s retail website. That should arrive shortly, with the Hybrid set to actually hit dealers later this summer.
Check out more on Kia’s minivan (albeit, the pre-facelift model) against the Toyota Sienna below:
