- The new Carnival Hybrid rates at 33 mpg combined, versus 21 mpg combined for the base model
- The Carnival Hybrid costs $2,000 more than a similarly equipped gas-only Carnival
- The Toyota Sienna and its standard hybrid powertrain lead the minivan pack at 36 mpg combined
The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid earns an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined, according to data published this week by the EPA.
The first hybrid powertrain employed in Kia’s minivan family, which was renamed from the Sedona for the 2022 model year, can’t match the segment-leading Toyota Sienna. The 2025 Toyota Sienna and its standard hybrid system—a 245-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with two motors—rate at 36 mpg. The Sienna has one more thing Kia can’t match: a third motor making all-wheel drive for $2,000 that still gets 35 mpg combined.
The undisputed hybrid king, Toyota has been developing its hybrid system for nearly 25 years, and now offers a hybrid variant on most of its mainstream models.
The 2025 Kia Carnival’s new hybrid model pairs a 1.6-liter turbo-4 with a 54-kw electric motor for a combined output of 242 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Similar to the Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage hybrids, this hybrid powertrain has a 6-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive only. It uses 17-inch wheels optimized for aerodynamics, and it has active grille shutters.
The 2025 Kia Carnival hybrid starts with the LXS grade for $41,895, including the $1,395 destination fee. That’s $2,000 more than the Carnival V-6 LXS.
The EPA rates it at 34 mpg city, 31 highway, 33 combined. The gas-only Carnival carries forward with a standard 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 287 hp and 260 lb-ft. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels only. It gets 18/26/21 mpg.
The Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna can be had with all-wheel drive, but the Pacifica plug-in hybrid also can boast 32 miles of electric range, or the equivalent of 82 mpg on gas and electric power.
The Honda Odyssey is now the only minivan without a hybrid option. It has a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 with a 10-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It gets 19/28/22 mpg.
The 2025 Carnival is sold in five trims, including LX, LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The hybrid powertrain is available in all but the base LX trim. Every Carnival comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors.
Standard convenience features include power sliding doors, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. It rolls on 18-inch wheels.
The Hybrid EX costs $44,095, and like the gas EX, it upgrades with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an in-cabin camera and intercom, and a voice recognition system that can adjust the climate and control the windows, in addition to handling navigation and media commands.
The Hybrid SX costs $48,995, and the Hybrid SX Prestige tops the lineup at $53,995.
The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid minivan can be ordered now.