18Feb
- Debuting at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show, the 2025 Kia Carnival blends SUV aesthetics with family vehicle functionality.
- The futuristic interior flaunts sleek shapes, ambient lighting, and a panoramic dual display.
- The 2025 Carnival Hybrid offers a turbo-hybrid engine, aerodynamic wheels, and advanced features like Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control for enhanced efficiency and ride comfort.
- Equipped with Kia's latest ADAS, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Highway Driving Assist, the Carnival prioritizes safety and convenience for drivers and passengers alike.
The 2025 Kia Carnival has been updated with the marque’s "Opposites United" design theme, a hybrid powertrain, and advanced connectivity features. It offers a new 1.6-liter turbo hybrid powertrain with a stronger electric motor, delivering enhanced power and torque.
What Else Is New With The 2025 Kia Carnival?
The electrical architecture has been upgraded to support over-the-air updates and improved connectivity. The 3.5-liter V6 engine serves as the base engine, while the top trims offer a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with a 72-hp electric motor.
The Carnival HEV also includes chassis-dynamics features exclusive to the hybrid model. Advanced driver assistance features and screens aplenty make the 2025 Kia Carnival a modern and efficient choice for families.
Moreover, its SUV-like styling cleverly disguises its minivan-ness, making it a cool option for suburban families. Below is everything else we know about the latest Kia Carnival 2025.
Chicago Auto Show Debut
Photo credit: The Daily Drive
At the 2024 Chicago Auto Show, the 2025 Kia Carnival made a striking statement to solidify its position as a frontrunner in the minivan market.
Bridging the gap between SUVs and family vehicles, the refreshed Carnival offers remarkable passenger and cargo space along with an optional turbo-hybrid powertrain.
Moreover, it introduces cutting-edge connected car technology, emphasizing connectivity and convenience. Let's explore the key features and upgrades of the 2025 Kia Carnival.
Enhanced Presence
Embracing the distinctive "Opposites United" design philosophy, the Carnival exudes modernity and confidence with its SUV-inspired aesthetics.
The front fascia boasts a commanding presence, characterized by a bold grille and intricate cube-like headlamps accented by Kia's signature amber-colored Star Map daytime running lights.
Meanwhile, the rear of the Carnival features refined surfaces and clean lines, with the license plate housing relocated for a sleeker look. The Star Map taillights and optional wide skid plate further enhance the vehicle's exterior design.
Technical Innovations
Technical sophistication extends to the Carnival's alloy wheel options, ranging from 17 to 19 inches, each showcasing geometric angles for added visual appeal.
For design enthusiasts, the Carnival Dark Edition offers a range of darkened exterior elements, including roof rails, skid plates, and mirror covers, elevating its aesthetic appeal.
2025 Kia Carnival’s Futuristic Interior Design
Step inside the Carnival to discover a futuristic interior characterized by sleek shapes and three-dimensional effects accentuated by ambient lighting spanning the dashboard's width.
The center fascia features horizontally aligned information and climate controls, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Additionally, the spacious center console boasts large-capacity dual cupholders, perfect for holding sizable beverages.
At the forefront of the cabin, a curved panoramic dual display steals the spotlight, seamlessly integrating a 12.3-inch cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display into a single panel for cutting-edge appeal.
An optional full-color head-up display projects essential information onto the windshield directly within the driver's line of sight.
Moreover, the available Full Display Mirror improves visibility by replacing the traditional rear-view mirror with a camera view. Illuminated seat belt buckles and strategically placed USB-C ports throughout the cabin ensure convenience for all passengers.
See also: Kia EV9 Named North American SUV Of The Year 2024
2025 Kia Carnival’s Innovative Tech Features
Voice recognition technology takes center stage in the Carnival, with a multi-zone feature distinguishing between front-row and second-row speakers, facilitating seamless interaction with the vehicle's functions.
Passengers equipped with the optional VIP Lounge Seat package can effortlessly activate relaxation mode through voice commands.
The Carnival's interior versatility remains unmatched, offering spacious seating for 7 or 8 passengers and a best-in-class cargo room behind the first row.
The "Slide-Flex" seating configuration for 8-passenger versions allows for various setups, accommodating diverse passenger needs.
Furthermore, the Carnival continues to feature removable second-row seats and fold-in-floor third-row seats for flexibility and convenience.
2025 Kia Carnival’s Connected Technology
The Carnival strides into the future with Kia's next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system, delivering faster processing and enhanced fidelity.
Over-the-air updates ensure the Carnival remains equipped with the latest features and improvements. Rear passengers can indulge in entertainment with the available Connected Car Rear Cockpit (ccRC) Rear Entertainment System, boasting dual 14.6-inch monitors with full HD resolution and streaming capabilities.
Advanced Digital Key 2.0 technology allows customers to use compatible smart devices or NFC-enabled smart cards as virtual vehicle keys, enabling convenient access and sharing with friends and family. This innovative feature enhances security and convenience for Carnival owners.
2025 Kia Carnival Performance Specifications
The 2025 Carnival continues to offer impressive performance options, including the tried-and-tested 3.5-liter V6 GDI engine, delivering 287 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, this engine provides smooth power delivery to the front wheels.
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid
Additionally, the Carnival Hybrid debuts for 2025, featuring a 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid engine combined with a 54kW motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission, boasting a combined output of 242 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Carnival Hybrid introduces unique performance enhancements aimed at improving fuel economy and ride comfort.
Exclusive aerodynamic 17-inch wheels contribute to efficiency, while the Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control (E-VMC) system adjusts regenerative braking levels for a smoother driving experience.
Other hybrid-specific features include E-Handling for improved vehicle responsiveness, E-Ride to enhance ride comfort over bumps, and E-Evasive Handling Assist for controlled vehicle movement during emergency maneuvers.
New Kia Carnival Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
The 2025 Carnival comes equipped with Kia's latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, offering enhanced safety and convenience.
Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist alerts the driver to potential collisions and can automatically apply braking to mitigate or prevent accidents.
New features like Junction Crossing, Lane-change Oncoming, Lane-change Side, and Evasive Steering Assist further enhance collision avoidance capabilities.
Building on its safety suite, the new Carnival offers Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), a driver assistance system that maintains a safe distance from vehicles ahead, assists with lane keeping on highways, and facilitates lane changes under certain conditions.
Additional ADAS features include Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, providing drivers with advanced technology to enhance their driving experience and safety on the road.
2025 Kia Carnival Release Date
Kia has confirmed that the 2025 Carnival, both the purely gas and hybrid models, should begin hitting US dealerships by the summer of 2024.
The automaker is still tight-lipped about the pricing details, but the industry expects pricing for the minivan to fall between $35,000 and $50,000.
"The Carnival has been a standout since its introduction, effortlessly blending SUV aesthetics with the utilitarian functionality of a family vehicle," said Steve Center, COO and EVP.
"As a brand that refuses to settle for the status quo, we've made impactful updates across styling, performance, and technology, further allowing the Carnival to challenge stereotypes that family vehicles are uninspiring."
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