The Kia Carnival was first introduced to the market in 2022, when it replaced the Sedona as the brand’s minivan. It was greeted immediately by positive feedback in the market for its appealing design and impressive features. Now, they’ve introduced a hybrid option. Let’s talk about this highly anticipated vehicle and its powertrain, interior, and exciting features. Jeff Belzer’s Kia is excited to show you the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid. Watch the video below for a full vehicle tour! 

Vehicle Tour

Watch the video below for a tour of the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid with Allye!

Design 

Exterior 

Kia classifies the Carnival as an MPV – a multi-purpose vehicle. They want to avoid calling this vehicle a “mini van” like their competitors while still prioritizing space and comfort for the passengers. In 2025, the Carnival got a mid-cycle refresh, which is not a complete redesign, but rather a refresh of certain exterior elements. One example is the grille design, which gives it a sportier front end and truly makes it look like an SUV. The Sorento and Carnival have very similar front ends – you may not even realize which is which if you look at them straight on! 

Also new in the mid-cycle refresh are the amber running lamps, which is another element that makes the Carnival stand out. Standard on this vehicle are LED multi-reflector headlamps and roof rails, so you’re easily able to haul your cargo or go on weekend adventures. You can get either 17-inch alloy wheels, or 19-inch depending on trim level. One thing to note here is that the Carnival Hybrid is only available in FWD.  

Interior 

Inside, you’ll see seating for up to 8 passengers on every trim level. You have the option of a bench in the second-row or captain’s chairs in the second row. Each seat in the second row is on its own track so that you can easily take the seats in and out if you want a customized interior or easier access to the third row. The second-row passengers have their own climate controls, USB-C ports, and cupholders. The third-row passengers have cupholders, USB-C ports, lower tether anchors, and sunshades depending on the trim level. 

Back up front, the driver and passenger have two USB-C ports, a wireless charger, cupholders, a luxe gear shifter, and, depending on trim level, heated and ventilated front seats. Speaking of seats, let’s talk about them. It comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, which looks amazing, and they are super comfortable! There are also dual power sunroofs overhead. 

Behind the third row, the Carnival has best-in-class 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space. This translates to about 13 inches from the floor to the bottom of the third-row seats, and about 50 inches wide. There is a ton of space back here for groceries, sports equipment, or the stroller. They even included two side compartments that you can place small items into that you don’t want rolling around with all your other items.

Carnival Hybrid Inventory

Technology and Safety 

Technology 

There are two screens in the front seats – one being a 12.3-inch driver information screen and one being a 14.6-inch infotainment screen. Through the infotainment screen, you can access your climate and radio, but there is a smaller touchscreen below this that you can also easily access these features. You can even select “Driver Only” to just heat or cool your side and seat. 

One feature worth mentioning is the Passenger View. With this, you can easily see what is going on in your second and third row without having to turn around in your seats due to cameras. Another cool feature is Passenger Talk. When Passenger Talk is enabled, it will project your voice to the second and third row through speakers so that you don’t have to shout for your passengers to hear what you’re saying. You will also experience the Bose Premium Audio System in this vehicle. 

Safety 

There are a ton of standard safety and comfort features in the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid. Some of these include: 

Safety Features:

• 360-degree Surround View Monitor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Adaptive Cruise Control 
• Rear Occupant Alert 
• Side Blind-Zone Alert 
• Front and Rear Park Assis

Comfort Features:

• Heated Front Seats
• Wireless Apple CarPlay Android Auto
• Smart Key
• Voice Assistant: connects with Amazon Alexa
• Find My Car
• Over-the-Air Updates

Performance

The Kia Carnival Hybrid has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged hybrid engine with a 54-kilowatt electric motor. That’s a lot of numbers there, but one you’ll definitely remember is the 33 miles per gallon that this vehicle gets! With a full tank of gas, you’ll get over 600 miles of range. One thing to note is that the Carnival is not a plug-in at this time, meaning it uses regenerative braking and other technologies for its power rather than a charger. Because of the fact that it is not a PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle), you will not receive a federal tax credit. 

The Carnival Hybrid also offers multiple drive modes so that you can feel confident that your vehicle is performing the best in whatever conditions you’re driving in. These modes include Eco, Sport, Smart, or Snow. This vehicle gets 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Current Kia Specials

Trim Levels 

While the ICE Carnival has 5 trim levels, the Carnival Hybrid simplified it to 4 trim levels. Let’s break them down.

LXS:

• Starting MSRP: $40,500
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SynTex Seating Trim
• Heated Front Seats and Power Driver’s Seat

EX:

• Starting MSRP: $42,700
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels
• Smart Power Liftgate
• Passenger View and Passenger Talk 

SX:

• Starting MSRP: $47,600 
• Dual Sunroofs 
• LED Fog Lights 
• Ventilated Front Seats 

SX-Prestige:

• Starting MSRP: $52,600 
• Dark Exterior Trim Accents 
• LED Projector Headlights and LED Taillights 
• Leather Seat Trim 
• Heated Steering Wheel 

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid truly stands out with its combination of eco-friendly efficiency, spacious comfort, and advanced features, making it the ideal choice for families on the go. Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit us at Jeff Belzer’s Kia in Lakeville, MN to take this vehicle for a test drive, or reach out with any questions you have. We’re here to help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs! Take a look at our current Carnival Hybrid inventory today.