Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status
Specs
Class: Minivan
Nation of Manufacture: South Korea
Coloration: Ceramic Silver
Seating Capability: 8
Miles pushed: 110
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 38.0 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Economic system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” 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 gasoline financial system: 34/31/33 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Common gasoline
Base value: $52,600 (not together with $1395 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($495)
Value as examined: $54,490
Execs and Cons
The good: Minivan practicality, best-in-class pricing
The great: Wonderful gasoline financial system, recent design
The not so good: No AWD, squeaky Third-row seats
Overview
For 2025, Shopper 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 creator is aware of first hand that Pacifica house owners are famously pleased with their vans.
Minivan Section
That mentioned, the Pacifica has gotten costly over the previous few years, and although accessible with a hybrid powertrain, entry to that system is moreover pricey. For these causes, we suggest consumers on this class take the time to judge all 4 entries, as a result of every has its charms. Just a few ideas on phase:
Chrysler Pacifica
Base Value: $44,445
Hybrid Base Value: $53,050
AWD: Obtainable
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 huge and roomy as any of the opposite vans on this checklist, however Honda’s individuals mover has grown long-in-the-tooth, and isn’t recognized for its gasoline financial system. That mentioned, the Odyssey rides and handles nicely, and due to its stout V6 engine is well essentially the most rewarding to drive.
Toyota Sienna
Base Value: $40,635
Hybrid Base Value: $40,635
AWD: Obtainable
Toyota’s well-loved Sienna went all-hybrid final yr, and is the one minivan accessible 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 useful nature, approachable base costs, and excellent real-world gasoline financial system.
And what of the Kia Carnival?
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 format head the checklist of modifications for the brand new yr. Carnival joins the lengthy checklist of automobiles now sporting a single, contiguous infotainment/instrument-panel touchscreen, which cleans up the sprint a bit, and usually simplifies utilization.
Engines
The large 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
(By way of worth, it’s price noting that the least-expensive Carnival Hybrid is available in simply $240 increased than Chrysler’s fleet/rental particular Voyager mannequin ($41,995), which can’t be had with a hybrid powertrain. For 2025, the Voyager is obtainable for retail sale, although isn’t accessible with most of the facilities discovered on the Pacifica.)
Shopper Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of the 2025 SX Status Hybrid in Ceramic Silver. All informed, together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at van got here to $54,490.
Room and Consolation
Like each minivan presently provided on the market within the U.S., the Carnival boasts family-pleasing options together with a roomy center seating row, adult-friendly 3rd seating row, and sufficient cargo house to maneuver a school freshman from house to campus in a single journey. And like each different minivan, the Carnival does these items whereas serving up loads of consolation, and usually straightforward driving.
We applaud the up to date infotainment setup. We’ve lengthy been followers of Kia’s easy touch-screen setups, and the up to date system stays straightforward to learn and uncomplicated to make use of.
Moving into the Carnival front-seating row is simple sufficient, and there’s loads of house as soon as seated. Second-row lodging are equally beneficiant. The usual center-row seats are very comfy, and accommodate three passengers. The accessible “VIP Lounge” seats swap the 3-across setup for a pair of captains chairs which will be tough to take away. For those who go for the 2-passenger association, make certain your salesperson demonstrates the right way to extract the seats from the van–do you have to ever want to take action.
Accessing the threerd-row means sliding the center-row seats ahead, an motion which requires a bit of extra muscle than we anticipated. The trail rearward is a bit of slender, however passenger house 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 nicely. 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 averaged a strong 38 mpg, comfortably exceeding the EPA mixed estimate for the Carnival Hybrid.
Journey and Dealing with
Journey consolation is about class regular, with most highway imperfections absorbed with little drama. That mentioned, the Carnival doesn’t journey as easily, or cruise as quietly because the class-leading Pacifica. The Carnival does deal with nicely, although, and is usually a bit of extra enjoyable to push than the opposite vans, save for the Odyssey. Sadly, the Bose-brand audio system, normal on the EX Status, sounds tremendous, however doesn’t dwell 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 might wrestle to outdo the competitors in any key substantive class—apart from value—there’s one other metric by which Kia’s individuals mover leads the pack: It’s cool. Cool wanting, and funky to drive.
Whereas the Chrysler is arguably good wanting, it nonetheless seems like a minivan. However the Kia comes off wanting like a crossover, and a pleasant crossover at that. Mix the cool exterior design with the fashionable cabin, and the Kia wins the anti-minivan-stigma contest palms down.
This editor has dubbed the Carnival the “bachelor-dad social gathering pad,” considering it the proper minivan for dad’s who want a pleasing, stigma-free journey for each day commuting, and a kid-friendly van for weekend visitations. Going hybrid and saving cash on gasoline is only a good bonus.
Worth
Word 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 normal 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 phase take a look at drive all of the fashions accessible, paying attention to straightforward of entry, trim stage costs, and the price of issues like rear-seat leisure techniques. 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 lots right here to love.
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2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Status Photos
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2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium S Look: Overview, Costs and Specs
