The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid is the answer to a question that probably should have been posed years ago.
After all, why should Toyota be left to enjoy the spoils of exclusivity?
That’s not to suggest the same isn’t true of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Chrysler Pacifica, but since the Sienna switched to a hybrid powertrain it’s been left entirely uncontested as the only entry of its kind in this small but still important segment. That’s why the arrival of the 2025 Carnival represents more than a refresh. Instead, it provides the power of choice that just so happens to be wrapped up in an exceptionally stylish package.
Nice New Look
It’s not often a mid-cycle refresh brings with it such significant changes, with the Carnival’s image almost entirely remade. It isn’t exclusive to the hybrid, either, as the gas-only version gets the same good looks. The updated styling more closely resembles what would otherwise be reserved for a crossover like the almost-midsize Kia Sorento — and, indeed, their front ends in particular are strikingly similar.
The future-forward aesthetic looks even better in person than it does in pictures, providing a presence that was previously lacking. If the aim of any new vehicle is to turn heads, the 2025 Carnival is right on target.
There’s a cohesiveness here that’s often hard to achieve, with the fang-like tail lights perfectly complementing what’s happening up front. Likewise, the wheel designs that are shared with the V6-powered version of this van are an excellent pairing with the rest of the exterior details. There are serious shades of the all-electric EV9 here, too, adding yet another stunner to Kia’s stable of stellar designs.
Form Meets Function
Gone are the days of the minivan’s blank-slate interior that offered all sorts of space while sacrificing substance and style in the process. The Carnival isn’t alone in that regard, though; the Sienna in particular is thoughtfully built to give families what they need, where they need it.
Where its rival from Toyota emphasizes an assortment of cubbies and shelves, this Kia leans into tasteful styling touches and technology integration. It also benefits from a shift-by-wire system that isn’t in the conventionally-powered Carnival, with a gear selection dial on the centre console that reduces the visual clutter that comes with that model’s mechanical shift lever.
Two different digital display setups are offered, both of which are centred around a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. In the most expensive version of the Carnival Hybrid, that’s paired with a digital instrument screen of the same size as well as an 11-inch head-up display. There’s also over-the-air update capability, plus a more robust advanced safety and driver-assist suite. The Carnival’s voice recognition system has also been improved to recognize a wider range of commands, including the ability to open and close the windows.
Not all the new tech bestowed upon this updated minivan is a blessing, however. The biggest pain point is the touch panel on the dash just below the infotainment display. While touch integration is increasingly unavoidable in today’s auto industry, Kia’s insistence on implementing this fiddly feature that requires users to switch between infotainment and climate controls is as frustrating as it is flawed.
Of course, there’s all sorts of space inside. Not even a full-size SUV like the GMC Yukon offers passenger accommodations quite like these, with plenty of space for people spread across all three rows of seats. Opting for the seven-passenger configuration that’s exclusive to the top SX+ trim swaps the second-row bench for a pair of captain’s chairs that provide a maximum of 1,045 mm (41.1 in) of legroom.
Taking On Toyota
Powering this people-mover is a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder gas engine along with a 54-kW electric motor. This isn’t the only Kia product to use this particular hybrid powertrain, although the electric half of the Carnival’s equation is more powerful than the rest and generates 72 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque compared to 59 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque for the Sportage Hybrid compact crossover as well as its slightly larger Sorento sibling.
Together with the gas engine, net output for the Carnival Hybrid registers at 242 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Rather than a simple combination of electric and internal-combustion output, the net figure is the maximum both parts of the powertrain can make together.) For comparison, the Sienna generates 245 net hp, while Toyota doesn’t publish a combined torque figure. Meanwhile, making it all work together is a six-speed automatic transmission — a choice that stands in contrast with the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) used in most hybrids, including the Sienna.
While the gas engine sounds strained at times, particularly around town where the transmission tends to hold gears just a little longer than it should, there’s never a time when it feels underpowered. Credit the turbocharged torque with giving this Kia the kick it needs. That’s no easy feat for such a big and heavy vehicle, yet it manages to keep the Carnival feeling peppy in a way the Sienna simply doesn’t.
The tradeoff is that Toyota’s minivan is more efficient — and it’s available with all-wheel drive, something that’s missing from this Kia. Apples to apples, the front-wheel-drive Sienna is rated to consume a combined 6.6 L/100 km compared to 7.2 here. On the bright side, that’s an improvement of more than 50 per cent compared to the gas-only Carnival (11.1).
The addition of the gas-electric Carnival to the Kia lineup also means it’s safe to speculate that the Telluride three-row SUV will receive the same treatment when its next refresh rolls around, although the brand has made no mention of its impending arrival. Even so, it’s likely that a Telluride Hybrid would come fitted with all-wheel drive.
A Likeable Lineup
While there are six Carnival trims to choose from in total, the hybrid powertrain is reserved for just three of them. The LX+ comes with a well-rounded list of features including a full advanced safety and driver-assist suite — forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic — as well as a heated steering wheel and front seats, power sliding doors, and a height-adjustable power tailgate, among others.
Next in line is the EX trim that adds stuff like faux-leather upholstery instead of cloth, a wireless phone charger, 19-inch wheels in place of 17-inch alloys, and LED exterior lighting all around. Finally, the range-topping SX+ gets an upgraded stereo, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs (for a total of seven-passenger seating instead of eight), and dual power-opening sunroofs.
Priced To Compete
Graciously, the LX+ and EX trims are positioned lower in the lineup and are priced accordingly. The former is listed at $46,545, while the latter is $49,445; meanwhile, the range-topping Carnival SX+ Hybrid is priced at $56,445. That makes the gas-electric powertrain a $2,550 upgrade compared to the same trims with the 3.5L V6 that carries over from before. All prices are before freight ($2,050) and tax.
The Toyota Sienna is offered in the choice of four trims, all of which are hybrid-only. Three of them — the LE, XLE, and XSE — come in the choice of front- or all-wheel drive, while the top-of-the-line Limited is only offered with four-wheel traction. Pricing for the revised 2025 version wasn’t yet announced at the time of this writing, although it’s reasonable to assume it’ll cost more than before. The 2024 Sienna ranges from $44,950 to $63,150 before freight and tax.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid goes about its business in a slightly different way than the gas-electric Sienna. Namely, there’s no option to choose all-wheel drive, plus it isn’t quite as efficient as its rival, both of which put it at a distinct disadvantage — or so it seems.
Where this Carnival wins back points is in its power delivery, which isn’t nearly as sleepy as the Sienna’s — a credit to the combination of its turbo motor and conventionally geared transmission. It’s also priced competitively next to the only other minivan like it on the market, although neither of them is especially affordable.
Even so, the Carnival Hybrid is a welcome addition not just to Kia’s lineup, but the auto market as a whole. What it lacks in outright efficiency — and let’s be real: it’s barely worse than the Sienna — and extra traction it makes up for with striking good looks and impressive overall execution. If nothing else, it provides the Sienna with some much-needed competition in a segment that still matters to those who get it most.
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