The Kia Carnival offers a hybrid version for 2025.
The Carnival 2025 retains the standard V6 engine but offers a hybrid option.
The exterior design is closely related to the new Sorento.
The Carnival also includes Highway Driving Assist 2 and a new entertainment system for rear seats.
Kia unveiled the new Carnival 2025 at the Chicago Auto Show, adding an available hybrid powertrain, more technology, and a more modern design to its only minivan in North America.
The Carnival 2025 is the latest model from the manufacturer to receive an update, following the 3-row SUV Sorento in terms of design. At the front, the new Carnival features different headlights, vertically installed with a large amber turn signal/daytime running light element. The grille has also been revised to better match the brand’s SUVs and crossovers.
The side profile of the minivan remains mostly unchanged, and the rear receives new taillights adding a vertical element to the previously used horizontal light bar. New alloy wheel designs from 17 to 19 inches and paint colors complete the main exterior aesthetic changes of the Carnival 2025.
New technologies
Inside, the new minivan benefits from a completely redesigned dashboard that better integrates the panel including driver information and infotainment screens. Additionally, the entire center console has been reworked to include a new touch button bank under the central screen and a rotary shift lever, both inspired by the EV6.
The Carnival also receives the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, Kia’s new embedded operating system capable of receiving updates over the Internet. This technology is said to be faster than what it replaces and allows drivers to access important controls with a simple screen swipe.
Passengers in the back will benefit from the new Connected Car Rear Cockpit entertainment system, featuring two 14.6-inch screens and the ability to stream content from online platforms.
Following the footsteps of other recent Kia models, the Carnival 2025 will also offer the Digital Key 2.0 system, allowing using a phone as a vehicle key and sending temporary keys via SMS.
To complement the infotainment and comfort technologies, the new “Hey Kia” voice command assistant system is added. According to Kia, this system is more advanced than most, allowing the driver and passengers to control features such as side windows or second-row VIP Lounge seats with an extendable footrest, solely with their voice.
Two powertrains
The biggest change for the Carnival 2025 is the addition of an available hybrid powertrain. The Carnival HEV will be equipped with a 1.6 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 54 kW electric motor. This combination will produce a total output of 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, transmitted through a six-speed automatic transmission. Kia has not yet announced fuel consumption figures for this model.
The current 3.5 L V6 engine will remain the standard engine in the Carnival lineup, where it will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels.
In addition to its electrified powertrain, the Carnival HEV will be equipped with unique aerodynamic 17-inch alloy wheels, a three-level regenerative braking system, as well as E-Handling, E-Ride, and E-Evasive Steering Assist systems aimed at improving the hybrid model’s dynamic qualities.
Advanced driving assistance features
Kia has also included or made available several new driving assistance features in the Carnival 2025, such as the Highway Driving Assist 2 system, initially introduced by the EV6. This technology adds semi-autonomous lane change capabilities to the previous HDA system, which already combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist on marked highways. Forward collision avoidance has also been enhanced with the addition of intersection crossing, approaching lane change, side lane change, and evasive steering support to help drivers avoid more types of collisions.
Pricing and final specifications for the Kia Carnival 2025 in Canada are expected to be available later this year, before the model’s launch in our market.
This text is from L’annuel de l’automobile – Actualité automobile
