2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid Review | The Un-Minivan Gets More Efficient 

Love the crossover with Sofyan and Tommy

As a KIA HEV & 21 years young 220,000 miles Toyota Sienna 8-seat LE owner, I have been holding off the HEV Sienna and waiting for the review of this van. The 33 MPG does not get me too excited as I am already getting 28 MPG on the V6 3.3L with RAW V6 power (especially going up 1,000 feet uphill) with Crossclimat 2 tires and the removable 2nd roll seat (missing on new Sienna) provides plenty of space whenever needed. I am sure it's not as nice & quiet or smooth as a new van and if I really miss the wireless CARPLAY I can always pay $300 for a full installation of a aftermarket media system with front & rear cameras that works with the current steering column bottom controls. Not blown away yet but will keep in mind as a good contender when needed.

1.6L turbo is probably a bit too small. 2.0L turbo or even 2.5L turbo would make more sense. Besides, for me it's the best looking minivan.

I've said this in other videos. If you get the entertainment package and you don't have the power seats in the second row, when you pull the lever to bring the seats forward they come with so much velocity that they will crash into the screen. Check it out for yourself. If you're not holding with both hands that seat whips forward.

The Trifecta!! 👏🏾 Great review. Would AWD destroy the packaging for the cargo area and stowed seats?

Perhaps the pinnacle of ABG videos! A fun collab with 2 other channels AND it’s about a minivan

A pretty chaotic and fun episode, this one is 😂

love watching all three of you together! all the best unite!

Just came here from redline to see how Alex would drive it vs speed racer Sofyan.

I I would said the middle seat on second row slide extra distance make it more useful if you have two big car seat. I have two big car seat and normally people can not fit in between, but being able to slide back gives it extra shoulder space.

What a lovely family 😅

third row folding mechanism is a straight up copy from the sienna lol.

I'd honestly want to see a chrome package option that un blacks out all the trims and wheel

this is a nice format review!

Nice review, Alex! I wanted to share a couple of interesting details about the Carnival Hybrid. In the U.S. version, Kia has removed several premium features, such as the built-in dashcam and heated/cooled cup holders, which results in some blank buttons and unused ports-a bit of a pity, in my opinion. Another thing I’ve noticed is that Kia hasn’t been consistent with the interior color options on the higher trims in the U.S. market. While black is always available, you might get a navy/grey combo or sometimes a brown interior-it seems to depend on what’s coming off the production line in Korea.

Turbo and hybrid? It’s way too complicate, costly if any of them go wrong

26:25 - FYI, honda keeps the set regent level in Sport mode.

The 9.3-second 0-60 time doesn't seem to align with the horsepower and torque specs that Kia announced. Toyota has similar horsepower but significantly lower torque, yet manages a much better 0-60 time-around 8 seconds, if I’m not mistaken.

Any idea when is the plug in version coming?

Alex - why dont you like the black wheel - I see no response you mentioned

29:24 because 9.3 sec with no cargo, three skinny passengers. Add 3 more passengers and cargo, and the minivan can’t merge on the highway safely

Could we fit a spare tire somewhere?

Keep your hybrids. I want the V-6. Even better give me a V-8.

...And for 2026 Carnivale, AWD hybrid option.

Do you guys all stay in the same dormitory?

Much better than stupid Sienna which have 2 years waiting

Yes! Hate the black wheels!

lol this is practically a SUV with a sliding door.

If kia put thr track on top it might hide the track. Or get this van in a dark color.

Does it have smart cruise control?

Another Kia review? Also, no more cameos from other reviewers.

Sienna has a terrible 3-Star crash rating!!

I LOVE blacked out car trim!! Chrome sucks~

This is the best in class. The perfect minivan. Kia nailed it to no one’s surprise as Kia always surpasses expectations