2025 Kia Carnival Unveiled

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The 2025 Kia Carnival, unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, introduces a bold redesign and a new turbocharged hybrid powertrain option, offering a sophisticated blend of style, performance, and advanced technology in the minivan segment.

Redefining Family Travel

The 2025 Kia Carnival represents a significant evolution in the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment, seamlessly blending the practicality of a minivan with the style and features of an SUV. This refreshed model offers a spacious interior that can accommodate up to eight passengers, making it ideal for families. The Carnival boasts impressive cargo capacity, with up to 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row and a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet with seats folded. Kia has enhanced the vehicle's appeal with a modernized exterior design, advanced technology integration, and a range of comfort features, including an available VIP Lounge Seat package for ultimate luxury. The introduction of a new hybrid powertrain option further elevates the Carnival's position in the market, promising improved fuel efficiency without compromising on performance.

Bold SUV -Inspired Styling

The 2025 Kia Carnival showcases a striking exterior design that embraces Kia's "Opposites United" design language, blending SUV aesthetics with minivan functionality. The front fascia features a grand, sculptural grille and cube-like headlamps accentuated by Kia's signature amber-colored Star Map daytime running lights. The rear design is refined with smooth surfaces, repositioned license plate housing, and crisp Star Map taillights. The Carnival offers alloy wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches, showcasing geometric angles. For those seeking a bolder look, the Carnival Dark Edition includes darkened exterior elements such as roof rails, skid plates, and exterior trims. This redesign gives the Carnival a modern and assertive appearance, challenging traditional minivan stereotypes and aligning it more closely with SUV styling cues.

Hybrid Powertrain Performance

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 54 kW electric motor, delivering a total output of 242 horsepower and a best-in-class 271 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid powertrain, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, offers improved fuel efficiency with a target of 32 mpg combined, a significant increase from the 22 mpg of the current ICE-only model. The hybrid system not only enhances acceleration at lower speeds but also contributes to improved handling and ride comfort through features like E-Handling and E-Ride, which utilize the electric motor for better cornering agility, stability, and overall ride smoothness.

Connecting Driving Experience

The 2025 Kia Carnival boasts cutting-edge technology and connectivity features, elevating the driving experience for both passengers and drivers. At the heart of its technological offerings is a panoramic curved display that houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This advanced system, powered by Kia's new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. The Carnival's infotainment system is capable of receiving over-the-air updates, keeping the vehicle's technology current. Additionally, the MPV introduces an enhanced voice command functionality, allowing passengers to control various features simply by saying "Hey, Kia". For improved visibility and safety, the Carnival offers an available Full Display Mirror® and a 360° Surround View Monitor, designed to provide a clear view of the vehicle's surroundings.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Features

The 2025 Kia Carnival introduces an array of advanced driver-assistance features, enhancing safety and convenience for drivers and passengers. The vehicle comes standard with 17 driver-assistance technologies, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Crossing, Lane-change Oncoming, Lane-change Side, and Evasive Steering Assist. Higher trim levels offer additional features such as a Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Parking Distance Warning for forward, reverse, and side directions. The Carnival also boasts Highway Driving Assist 2, an upgraded version of Kia's semi-autonomous driving system, and a Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality. These technologies work together to provide a safer, more comfortable driving experience in various road conditions.

Interior Comfort and Technology Upgrades

The 2025 Kia Carnival's interior receives significant upgrades, focusing on comfort and advanced technology. The cabin features a curved panoramic dual-display with a 12.3-inch cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen, offering intuitive access to vehicle functions and entertainment. An optional full-color head-up display projects essential information onto the windshield. The Carnival introduces voice command functionality, allowing passengers to control various features by simply saying "Hey, Kia". For ultimate luxury, the optional VIP Lounge Seat package includes power-adjustable second-row seats with heating, ventilation, and a one-touch relaxation mode. The vehicle maintains its spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers and offering 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, with removable second-row seats and fold-in-floor third-row seats for flexible configurations.

Trim Options and Pricing

The 2025 Kia Carnival offers a range of trim levels to suit various preferences and budgets. The lineup includes five distinct trims: LX, LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Each trim level provides a unique set of features tailored to meet different customer needs. The EX trim is considered the sweet spot, balancing value and features. Notably, the hybrid powertrain option is available on all trims except the base LX, giving buyers flexibility in choosing their preferred configuration. The Carnival maintains its versatile seating options, with both 7-passenger and 8-passenger configurations available depending on the trim. Kia has also introduced a Dark Edition package for the SX and SX Prestige trims, featuring darkened exterior elements for a more distinctive appearance.

Minivan Segment Leader

The 2025 Kia Carnival offers a range of trim levels to suit various preferences and budgets. The lineup includes five distinct trims: LX, LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Each trim level provides a unique set of features tailored to meet different customer needs. The EX trim is considered the sweet spot, balancing value and features. Notably, the hybrid powertrain option is available on all trims except the base LX, giving buyers flexibility in choosing their preferred configuration. The Carnival maintains its versatile seating options, with both 7-passenger and 8-passenger configurations available depending on the trim. Kia has also introduced a Dark Edition package for the SX and SX Prestige trims, featuring darkened exterior elements for a more distinctive appearance.