Kia Carnival SX 2025: if the hybrid doesn't mean anything to you, there's always the V6

Just a few weeks ago, my colleague Louis-Philippe Dubé went to California to discover the virtues of the new Kia Carnival with hybrid engine. The Korean manufacturer thus joins Toyota with its exclusively hybrid Sienna and Chrysler with its Pacifica which, in addition to the V6 engine variants, can also be ordered with the plug-in hybrid option.

Kia strategists, however, have been cautious with this 2025 model year. The Carnival hybrid undoubtedly responds to customers concerned about its energy-efficient footprint, but what about those who prefer a V6 housed under the hood? Kia is thus imitating Chrysler by keeping the “old” guard under the hood, rather than relying solely on the electrified alternative. Here are our impressions about the other Carnival, the one which continues its journey with a 6-cylinder engine.

Is a V6 better?

With 288 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the Kia Carnival is well equipped in terms of power. Better yet, the Korean minivan benefits from an 8-speed automatic gearbox and not a continuously variable transmission, as is the case on board the Toyota Sienna. There is therefore a minimum of sensation for the driver when the cadence increases.

Acceleration is sharp and even surprising when the right foot touches the floor, the V6 being efficient at higher revs. Shifting gears does not go smoothly, however. In general, the gearbox remains smooth and uneventful when changing gears, but when changing gears – the incident was repeated a few times during this week of testing – a less subtle jerk is felt. Is it a defect or simply an excess of your humble servant's right foot? So go figure.

The Kia Carnival SX is the heaviest variant of the V6-powered model with a weight of 2,188 kg. Mind you, the Korean minivan's rivals aren't that much lighter and even the more complex Carnival Hybrid isn't far behind with a maximum of 2,253 kg on the scale. This is why powertrains have continued to increase in power over the decades.

While the V6 is perfect for the Carnival's chassis, its front-wheel drive system can cause a slight torque effect, especially if the traction control system is deactivated. And a corner approached with too much confidence quickly turns into understeer. But, given the very family-friendly nature of the model, it's hard to imagine a head of the family behaving like an ace driver in traffic.

In this little game, Kia loses points against the Chrysler Pacifica or the Toyota Sienna, both of which can be ordered with all-wheel drive. This increased traction is a plus, but it does not make the Carnival unusable in winter.

The minivan buyer is well aware of the less nervous behavior of this type of vehicle, but the Carnival is not unpleasant to drive. The steering is light around town (and a little heavier at highway speeds), a plus when it came time to park this apartment on wheels. Parking assistance cameras are also a significant help.

As for comfort, let's say that we feel the irregularities of the asphalt a little more with the 19-inch rims of this SX livery. And as the soundproofing is rather well mastered on board the Carnival, all occupants especially benefit from this eight-seater cocoon.

An improved interior

The Kia Carnival is still equipped with a pair of screens joined in the center by a large black panel. The central screen is of course touchscreen and you can navigate relatively easily between the multiple applications of the infotainment system thanks to good-sized icons and a responsive screen.

On the center console, there is a good old lever for the gearbox, unlike the dial installed on board the Carnival hybrid. The presence of a thin panel of dual-function haptic buttons under the central ventilation nozzles is not the idea of ​​the century, but hey, we still end up finding our way there, despite a few situations where we enhance the volume when we were simply trying to increase the temperature on board and vice versa.

Consumers can still order a Carnival SX+ with two second-row captain's chairs, but that wasn't the case here. Fortunately, because for versatility, the two large armchairs in the middle row cannot be removed, which considerably reduces the potential loading volume.

Note also that it is very easy to access the third row of seats, a more welcoming place than in most three-row utility vehicles, especially with the numerous storage spaces, cup holders and even USB-C sockets. on each side. The SX livery even adds sunshades to the third row, while a middle sunroof allows passengers in the last two rows to ride with their hair flying in the wind.

“The Elephant in the Room”

Do you know this popular saying of English origin? In the case that interests us, it is the much more fragmented appearance of the van which has served as an elephant since its unveiling. The grille takes up more space, while daytime running lights that mimic those on the redesigned Sorento – and even the new K4 sedan – drastically change the look of the minivan.

The more “utilitarian” metamorphosis began three years ago at the time of the redesign, but with these vertically placed headlights and even this rear “single light”, the Carnival stands out a little more within a segment very conservative. It remains to be seen whether this more robust looking dress will convince more buyers to return to the Korean van.

The verdict

At a price of $51,895, this Kia Carnival SX is far from cheap. But, when we take a look at what is offered by competitors, we realize that the Korean recipe still works. The equipment is generous, the assembly quality is excellent, while even the average consumption is reasonable despite the presence of this 3.5-liter V6 unit.

If RnC (Natural Resources Canada) estimates the overall average at 11.1 L/100 km, our test week ended up with an average of 11.9 L/100 km, which is not so bad considering all the stops in town that this Carnival had to make. As for the thorny question of the choice of engine, it is up to the consumer to carefully assess their needs.

The hybrid option is very attractive with an average hovering around 7 L/100 km, but let's not forget the superior towing capacity of the V6-powered Carnival. In fact, this more traditional variant can tow up to 3,500 lbs, or 1,000 more than the Carnival hybrid. And then, if you need to tow a little more, the Kia Telluride is definitely a better option.

See also: video test of the 2025 Kia Carnival