By: Uday Mohan
July 25, 2025
Minivans—or MPVs, no matter how you dress them up—have always carried a bit of a stigma. They’re seen as the end of an era: the end of fun, freedom, and spontaneity. At least, that’s how people used to view them. But with manufacturers like Kia stepping into the game, the segment is no longer what it used to be.
Let’s start with how the 2025 Kia Carnival HEV looks. To be honest, it doesn’t quite fit the mold of what a traditional MPV should be. With its wide stance, low-slung hood, and imposing front grille, this doesn’t scream “boring family hauler.” Kia has spent years pushing the envelope on design, and while not every hit lands perfectly, their cars consistently spark a reaction—and that’s worth something.
For 2025, Kia has taken the well-thought-out Carnival formula and added a twist: this HEV variant is the first hybrid MPV they’ve built entirely in-house. The front fascia gets a fresh update with squared-off lighting and a more muscular stance. The daytime running lights now feature a yellow hue, reminiscent of other models in the Kia lineup. Around back, the straight-line theme continues, but the taillights now have a bracketed design that adds some visual depth. Other than these changes, the Carnival HEV remains familiar on the outside—but definitely more refined.
Inside, the 2025 Carnival HEV is a comfortable and well-packaged space. It’s roomy, offers excellent visibility, and comes packed with features that make long drives more pleasant. It’s clearly built to move people, with thoughtful touches like plentiful storage, flexible seating, and USB-C ports scattered throughout. Everyone gets a charging point, so no one’s fighting for battery life. While there are some glossy surfaces around the infotainment and HVAC, the use of hard plastics in high-traffic areas makes sense for a vehicle intended for family duty. Importantly, it doesn’t look cheap. In fact, the interior feels upscale—especially with both front seats offering massage functions, which we used every chance we got. A new feature for 2025 is the colour head-up display, which is sharp, easy to read, and nicely integrated.
But the real highlight of the Carnival’s cabin continues to be the VIP second-row seating. If you haven’t experienced it, do yourself a favour and visit a showroom. These two captain’s chairs are fully adjustable via the infotainment system, offering backrest, footrest, and calf support settings that make them feel more like airline lounge seats than car seats. Yes, using them this way means sacrificing the third row, but it’s worth it—most of the time. Even with all three rows in use, though, the Carnival’s trunk remains cavernous. Drop the third row and you’ve got more than enough space to haul whatever you need.
Kia has also focused on how the Carnival drives and what powers it. Under the hood is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 55kW electric motor, delivering a combined 245 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. of torque. It’s hooked up to a six-speed automatic that shifts smoothly and effortlessly. Power delivery is consistent, with no noticeable lag or abrupt surges. It’s quiet, calm, and predictable—ideal for a family MPV.
There are three drive modes: Eco, Sport, and Smart. Eco prioritizes efficiency and lets you manually adjust regenerative braking using the paddle shifters, with three levels to choose from. Level 3 was the most effective, though the Carnival doesn’t support one-pedal driving. Sport mode is exactly what it sounds like—it gives you full power when needed and charges the battery in the background without prioritizing EV mode. The paddle shifters also switch to traditional gear-shifting in this mode. Smart mode adapts to your driving style, toggling between performance and efficiency automatically.
Also worth noting is Kia’s E-Ride technology, which actively adjusts the damping to smooth out bumps. Combined with the low floor, it gives the Carnival HEV a surprisingly planted, car-like feel around corners.
As for tech and features, the Carnival HEV checks all the expected boxes: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charger, Smart Cruise with lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and a 360-degree camera system. It also supports over-the-air updates, which could bring new features over time. Kia’s Access app allows remote control of the vehicle from your phone—start the engine, adjust climate, or lock and unlock the doors. The smart key also enables Kia’s Smart Park feature, which is supposed to help the car move in and out of tight spots on its own, though we didn’t get a chance to try that ourselves.
The 2025 Kia Carnival HEV is a smart evolution of a proven package. It builds on everything that made the previous versions great, now with the added benefit of an in-house hybrid system. If you’re in the market for a family mover with brains, comfort, and some real polish, this one deserves a serious look.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: MPV
Engine: 1.6L Gamma II Turbo GDI HEV, 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 245 horsepower (combined)
Torque: 270 lb-ft. (combined)
Fuel Efficiency (city/highway/combined): 6.9L/100km / 7.6L/100km / 7.2L/100km
Observed Fuel Economy: 9.8L/100km (mixed driving)
Base Price: $49,376 CAD
As-Tested Price: $59,525 CAD