Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status
Specs
Class: Minivan
Nation of Manufacture: South Korea
Shade: Ceramic Silver
Seating Capability: 8
Miles pushed: 110
Actual-world gas economic system: 38.0 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic 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 Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 242-horsepower 1.6-liter |
| Engine Sort | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 34/31/33 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common gasoline
Base value: $52,600 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($495)
Value as examined: $54,490
Professionals and Cons
The good: Minivan practicality, best-in-class pricing
The nice: Glorious gas economic system, recent design
The not so good: No AWD, squeaky Third-row seats
Evaluation
For 2025, Client Information named the Chrysler Pacifica its Minivan Greatest Purchase. The explanations for this are many, however the main 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 proud of their vans.
Minivan Section
That mentioned, the Pacifica has gotten costly over the previous few years, and although out there with a hybrid powertrain, entry to that system is moreover pricey. For these causes, we advocate consumers on this class take the time to judge all 4 entries, as a result of every has its charms. A number of ideas on every:
Chrysler Pacifica
Base Value: $44,445
Hybrid Base Value: $53,050
AWD: Out there
The Pacifica shines when it comes to 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 consumers are searching for.
Honda Odyssey
Base Value: $43,670
Hybrid Base Value: N/A
AWD: N/A
As large and roomy as any of the opposite vans on this listing, however Honda’s folks mover has robe long-in-the-tooth, and isn’t recognized for its gas economic system. That mentioned, the Odyssey rides and handles properly, and due to its stout V6 engine is definitely essentially the most rewarding to drive.
Toyota Sienna
Base Value: $40,635
Hybrid Base Value: $40,635
AWD: Out there
Toyota’s well-loved Sienna went all-hybrid final 12 months, and is the one minivan out there 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 purposeful nature, approachable base costs, and excellent real-world gas economic system.
And what of the Kia 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 listing of modifications for the brand new 12 months. Carnival joins the lengthy listing of autos now sporting a single, contiguous infotainment/instrument-panel touchscreen, which cleans up the sprint a bit, and usually simplifies utilization.
Engines
The Carnival information for 2025 comes underneath the hood, nonetheless. Becoming a member of the van’s venerable 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is a brand new hybrid possibility. 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 automated 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 typical 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
(When it comes to worth, it’s price noting that the least-expensive Carnival Hybrid is available in simply $240 larger than Chrysler’s fleet/rental particular Voyager mannequin ($41,995), which can’t be had with a hybrid powertrain. For 2025, the Voyager is accessible for retail sale, although isn’t out there with lots of the facilities discovered on the Pacifica.)
Client Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of the 2025 SX Status Hybrid in Ceramic Silver. All instructed, together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at van got here to $54,490.
Room and Consolation
Like each minivan at present supplied on the market within the U.S., the Carnival boasts family-pleasing options together with a roomy 2nd seating row, adult-friendly 3rd seating row, and sufficient cargo area to maneuver a school freshman from residence to campus in a single journey. And like each different minivan, the Carnival does this stuff whereas serving up loads of consolation, and usually simple driving.
We applaud the up to date infotainment setup. We’ve lengthy been followers of Kia’s easy touch-screen setup, and the up to date system stays simple to learn and uncomplicated to make use of.
Getting into the Carnival front-seating row is straightforward sufficient, and there’s loads of area as soon as seated. Second-row lodging are equally beneficiant. The usual center-row seats are very snug, and accommodate three passengers. The out there “VIP Lounge” seats swap the 3-across setup for a pair of captains chairs which will be troublesome to take away. In case you go for the 2-passenger association, ensure your salesperson demonstrates how you can extract the seats from the van.
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 area 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 properly. 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 common a strong 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 mentioned, the Carnival doesn’t experience as easily, or cruise as quietly because the class-leading Pacifica. The Carnival does deal with properly, although, and is usually 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 high quality, 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 could battle to outdo the competitors in any key substantive class—apart from value—there’s one other metric by which Kia’s folks mover leads the pack: It’s cool. Cool trying, and funky to drive.
Whereas the Chrysler is arguably good trying, it nonetheless seems like a minivan. However the Kia comes off trying 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 arms down.
This editor has dubbed the Carnival the “bachelor-dad occasion pad,” considering it the proper minivan for dad’s who want a nice, stigma-free experience for every day commuting, and a kid-friendly van for weekend visitations. Going hybrid and saving cash on gasoline is only a good bonus.
Worth
Observe once more, the Carnival can’t be had with AWD, which can be a demerit for people within the Snowbelt, however observe that minivans, even with out AWD, are basic 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 consumers on this section take a look at drive all of the fashions out there, being attentive to simple of entry, trim degree costs, and to match the price of issues like rear-seat leisure. Particular person wants will play a key position in pricing, and sadly, minivans can get very costly. That mentioned, don’t overlook the Carnival, there’s so much right here to love.
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2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium S Look: Evaluation, Costs and Specs
