2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid

Is the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid a Good Minivan?

"The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid generally competes well against the hybrid-only Sienna, which is its primary rival. But there's an ace up the Kia's sleeve that you might not be aware of: its automatic transmission is a conventional six-speed unit, which means it doesn't give you any of the annoying CVT-sourced revving and droning that's par for the course in the Toyota. It also delivers the massive cargo capacity that minivan buyers tend to expect, whereas the Sienna maxes out at about 30 percent less space due to its fixed second-row seats. We can't ignore the proven reliability of the Sienna's hybrid powertrain, which has been racking up trouble-free miles in one form or another since the 2000s. But if you're inclined to roll the dice on that front, the Carnival Hybrid merits strong consideration — and the whole point of Kia's generous warranty, of course, is to give you that extra peace of mind."—Ranked #2 out of 3 Hybrid Minivans

Which 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. There's only one standalone version of the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid, and here it is, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid (1.6T Front-Wheel Drive)

• Base Price: $40,500
• MPG Combined: 33
• Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
• Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 242 
• Torque: 271 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 7.8 sec
• Weight: 4,852 lbs
• Length: 203.0 in

You might expect the Carnival Hybrid to be about as quick as the regular van, but it weighs at least 300 pounds more in the lightest eight-passenger configuration. That's probably why it's a few ticks slower to 60 mph, although in real-world driving, the combination of turbocharged torque and electric-motor assist makes this Kia feel sprightly enough.