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Thanks: Greenway KIA Hickory Hollow 2025 Kia Carnival Starting at: $ Highs: Stylish exterior design, V-6 is well-matched to minivan tasks, refined ride. Lows: Can't be ordered with all-wheel drive, less cargo space than rival vans, trick VIP seats aren't removable. Verdict: The Carnival's SUV-like styling cleverly disguises its minivan-ness, which makes it cool enough to pass the suburban-family sniff test. Overview Minivans are without a doubt the most practical family vehicles on the road today, but they don't have the same cool factor that SUVs do, so they often lack the respect they deserve. That's a shame, but Kia has gamed the system with the 2025 Carnival, giving it SUV-inspired styling that serves as suburban camouflage. This clever automotive code-switching helps the Carnival blend in among the hordes of three-row crossovers at the school pickup line—that is until its sliding side doors motor opens to unleash your offspring onto the awaiting faculty. On both long-haul road trips and short errands about town, the 287-hp V-6 engine delivers smooth power and decent fuel economy; all-wheel drive isn't an option here, but we found the Carnival's front-wheel drive layout and a set of snow tires made for excellent winter traction. Interior space is cavernous when compared to three-row SUVs—there's that minivan superiority we were talking about earlier—but the Chrysler Pacifica and the Honda Odyssey are roomier still. The Kia can be had with a set of second-row lounge chairs that make excellent places to park for extended trips, but they can't be removed, which hampers the van's potential as a cargo hauler. What's New for 2025? Kia only introduced the Carnival to the U.S. market in 2022 but decided it was already time for a styling enhancement. The 2025 model receives updates to its grille, headlamps, taillamps, wheels, and lower body panels that look inspired by the company's new EV9 electric three-row crossover. Inside, the center console has been revised slightly and the climate control panel is now separate and mounted on the dashboard rather than part of the console itself. The infotainment system has been upgraded to Kia's latest interface, which now includes a more robust voice assistant which can perform more tasks than before. A new lane-centering feature is available and couples with the Carnival's adaptive cruise control system to better keep the van on track when traveling on the highway. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2025 Kia Carnival starts at $ and goes up to $ depending on the trim and options. LX: $37,895 LXS: $39,895 EX: $42,095 SX: $46,995 SX Prestige: $51,995 The Carnival is offered in five trim levels ranging from the value-oriented LX to the deluxe SX Prestige, but the EX represents the sweet spot between features and price. The EX trim comes with several convenience features that help to justify the cost of upgrading, including a power-operated rear liftgate, an in-cabin intercom, and a voice-control system that allows rear-seat passengers to provide commands to the Carnival's infotainment system. Read More
