Kia unveiled its new 2025 Kia Carnival MPV, with many updates in design, engine, and other details, at the Chicago Auto Show.
Kia revealed for the first time its updated 2025 Carnival for the Korean market in October of last year 2023, with new front and rear designs that reflect the 2025 Kia Sorento.
Now at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show, the company has unveiled the improved version of the minivan, which comes with a sharper appearance and larger screens, and the main news is the addition of a new hybrid model that will be offered in four of the five Carnival models.
In this report, we monitor for you the specifications that the company revealed for its new Carnival MPV, so follow us.
Kia Carnival MPV Model 2025: New
- The Kia Carnival MPV seems to be celebrating non-stop. Kia's People Mover, previously known as the Sedona in the United States, was rebranded for the Korean market in 2020.
- Kia, which now bears the Carnival badge, is rolling out some updates to the large people mover in 2025.
- For 2025, the minivan will be updated to include a hybrid powertrain option, new styling, and other changes.
Kia Carnival Model 2025: Powertrain
Looking under the hood, the 2025 Kia Carnival MPV's new powertrain is interesting. While the 3.5-liter V6 is largely unchanged, the new hybrid engine offers some versatility for minivan shoppers.
Kia has chosen a turbocharged 1.6-liter I4 for the internal combustion side of the hybrid powertrain, which will be paired with a 54-kilowatt electric motor and a six-speed automatic gearbox.
This powertrain produces 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. If you've ever seen a Kia Sportage or Sorento hybrid, you'll recognize this system.
Kia Carnival hybrid model
- The Kia Carnival Hybrid model rides on exclusive 17-inch wheels features three levels of regenerative braking, and includes Kia's Electronic Handling System, which aims to improve handling by accelerating or decelerating the electric motor.
- There's also a system called " E-Ride ", which uses specially tuned shock absorbers and also accelerates or decelerates the electronic motor to mitigate the impact of bumps.
- These systems also contribute to the Evasion Assist system, which helps control the vehicle during emergency maneuvers.
Kia Carnival 2025: interior and exterior design
- Kia has made design changes to its 2025 Carnival that are undeniably subtle. Kia's design team moved the license plate housing to the bottom of the tailgate.
- The most noticeable change to the current Carnival is the new front fascia, which also features new headlights and taillights.
- The hybrid model will get a special set of 17-inch alloy wheels that Kia claims are more aerodynamic than the standard Carnival wheels.
Kia Carnival MPV interior
The Carnival's interior features a revised instrument panel and rotary gear selector. Kia will offer a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. As it did in previous models, both screens are placed behind a single curved piece of glass.
The standard dashboard includes a 12-inch infotainment screen and a 4.2-inch display mounted in a conventional instrument cluster.
There's also a full-view mirror, which replaces the traditional rearview mirror with a screen that displays the wide-view rear camera feed.
Of course, the seats remain unchanged, and the VIP Lounge Seat package remains among the options.
The smart and sophisticated Kia Carnival
- Kia says the cabin of its new 2025 Carnival is filled with seven USB-C ports, along with two power outlets.
- At night, lights inside the seat belt buckle turn on to help you locate the hotspot.
- The new voice recognition system can distinguish whether the sound is coming from the first or second row and can perform functions such as opening windows or changing the climate control.
- Voice command can also put the rear seats into "relaxation mode" at carnivals with the VIP Lounge Seat Package.
Intelligent connectivity in the 2025 Kia Carnival
The 2025 Kia Carnival MPV uses Kia's latest operating system, called the Connected Vehicle Navigation Cockpit.
Kia promises a faster system and regularly used controls can now be easily accessed by swiping on the screen.
Rear passengers also have access to a new optional rear entertainment system, consisting of two 14.6-inch screens that can stream video, connect to Bluetooth headphones, and mirror from devices that use an HDMI port.
Kia also offers a digital key that allows drivers to use their smartphone as a virtual key, even without taking it out of their pocket.
Drivers can also share the key with others via text message. The Carnival also receives an expanded safety suite for 2025, including a feature called Highway Driving Assist 2 which, on some highways, maintains a preset distance behind the car in front and within the lane. In certain circumstances, it will also help change course.
Kia Carnival MPV 2025: arrival date and prices
The 2025 Carnival will go on sale this summer. Pricing is scheduled to be announced in the coming months, but a big jump from the 2024 model's base price of $34,995 is not expected, but the hybrid is thought to cost about $2,000 more than the gas-only version.
Based on sales, Carnival ranked fourth in the U.S. minivan segment in 2023, with 43,687 vehicles delivered, a significant increase from its 2022 sales.
The Chrysler Pacifica was the best-selling vehicle (97,245 delivered), followed by the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
The 2025 Kia Carnival MPV is a powerful and bold car coming on the road to compete strongly in the hybrid car segment.