“Lots of leg room for all passengers, good technology available, lots of power for towing. Exterior is stylish and looks great all around the vehicle”
2025 Kia Carnival: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2025 Kia Carnival is a mid-cycle refresh that introduces the first U.S.-market Carnival Hybrid. It also brings a more SUV-like design, updated cabin tech, expanded safety equipment, and a new LXS trim.
About the 2025 Kia Carnival
4th generation Carnival (KA4), mid-cycle refresh year and first US hybrid year.
Kia positions the Carnival as a family vehicle that blends minivan usefulness with SUV-style design. The core draw is straightforward: sliding-door convenience, a roomy three-row cabin, flexible seating, and strong cargo space, wrapped in a shape that looks less like a traditional van. Against other family haulers, Kia leans on bold styling, generous tech, and a broad range that can feel basic and practical or notably upscale depending on trim.
The 2025 Carnival ranges from the straightforward seven-seat LX to the new eight-seat LXS, which adds heated front seats, synthetic leather, and a power driver's seat. EX is the family-focused middle trim, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, power tailgate, wireless phone charging, and a cabin camera and intercom. SX emphasizes large displays and camera technology, while SX Prestige adds leather, Bose audio, and a digital rearview mirror.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The first U.S.-market Carnival Hybrid joins the lineup in EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims. The gas-powered 3.5-liter V6 carries over.
Styling
The front and rear are substantially restyled with a more SUV-like appearance, darker exterior details, and Kia's Star Map lighting theme.
Safety
Standard driver-assistance equipment expands to include blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-following assistance, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. SX also receives Highway Driving Assist 2 and a more advanced forward-collision system.
Tech
The cabin receives an updated dashboard and screen layout. EX gains standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SX features dual 12.3-inch displays, and SX Prestige adds a digital rearview mirror.
2025 Kia Carnival specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter / V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter / V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic / Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic / Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid / Gas | Gas | Hybrid / Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid |
| MPG City | 18–34 mpg | 18 mpg | 18–34 mpg | 18–34 mpg | 18–34 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26–31 mpg | 26 mpg | 26–31 mpg | 26–31 mpg | 26–31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 287 hp | 287 hp | 287 hp | 287 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 260–271 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260–271 lb-ft | 260–271 lb-ft | 260–271 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 145.1 cu-ft | 145.1 cu-ft | 145.1 cu-ft | 145.1 cu-ft | 145.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in |
| Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Kia Carnival a full redesign?
No. The 2025 Carnival is a substantial mid-cycle refresh of the fourth-generation model, not a full redesign. Its exterior styling, cabin technology, safety equipment, and powertrain lineup all receive meaningful updates.
Is 2025 the first year for the Kia Carnival Hybrid in the U.S.?
Yes. The 2025 model year introduces the first U.S.-market Carnival Hybrid. Hybrid power joins the EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims, while the 3.5-liter V6 remains in the gas lineup.
What changed from the 2024 Kia Carnival to the 2025 Carnival?
The 2025 Carnival adds hybrid power, a new LXS trim, redesigned front and rear styling, updated dashboard technology, and more standard driver-assistance features. It is the largest update since the current generation arrived.
What is the new LXS trim on the 2025 Kia Carnival?
The LXS is a new trim positioned between LX and EX. It has eight-passenger seating, synthetic leather, heated front seats, and a power driver's seat; the previous LX w/Seat Package trim is no longer part of the lineup.
Did the base 2025 Kia Carnival LX gain more safety equipment?
Yes. The 2025 LX adds blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, Highway Driving Assist, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control as standard equipment.
2025 Kia Carnival Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2025 Kia Carnival.
4.4
2025 Kia Carnival
(17 reviews)
“Just a needs to come up with a quick connect wire harness for the Carnival to make setup for towing user friendly. I want to tow with my new Kia Carnival and they still don't have anything for a quick connect option for wiring harness.”
“That I am extremely pleased and pleasantly surprised at all the features the Carivan offers”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 21841 / 2025 Kia Carnival Mpv Redefined Elevating Multi Purpose Appeal With Hybrid Power Sophisticated Desig
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 22580 / 2025 Kia Carnival Elevates Multi Purpose Appeal With Hybrid Power Updated Design And Next Gen Tech
- kiamedia.com — Carnival / 2025 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Carnival Hev / 2025 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Carnival / 2024 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Carnival / 2026 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Carnival Hev / 2026 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Carnival / 2025 / Specifications