2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid Review - The Un-Minivan Gets More Efficient
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Date: 2024-10-08
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Comments and reviews: 20
Jeo-What
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.
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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.
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ianwong1711
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 portsa 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 interiorit seems to depend on what’s coming off the production line in Korea.
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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 portsa 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 interiorit seems to depend on what’s coming off the production line in Korea.
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christianlouis4218
Pacifica has a much better and intuitive center console layout with better storage options which makes for a much more comfortable experience. The Kia has a heads-up display which I think should be standard in 2024 for all cars. They also missed that most Pacificas come with leather, the Pennicle, with a beautiful peanut butter brown leather and a panoramic sunroof. I choose the Pacifica for the superior comfort and the power of a V6 plugin hybrid over the turbo 4 banger Kia. Still a great build by Kia.
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Pacifica has a much better and intuitive center console layout with better storage options which makes for a much more comfortable experience. The Kia has a heads-up display which I think should be standard in 2024 for all cars. They also missed that most Pacificas come with leather, the Pennicle, with a beautiful peanut butter brown leather and a panoramic sunroof. I choose the Pacifica for the superior comfort and the power of a V6 plugin hybrid over the turbo 4 banger Kia. Still a great build by Kia.
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Mohankeneh
Alex, that carve out in the far back on the left side of the trunk is most likely for the premium audio systems subwoofer that doesn’t come with the hybrid model so they just kinda made it into a small cubby.
I’m not 100% sure if in America it comes with premium audio in the hybrid, but I know in Canada it won’t (they usually only put it on the top trim only)
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Alex, that carve out in the far back on the left side of the trunk is most likely for the premium audio systems subwoofer that doesn’t come with the hybrid model so they just kinda made it into a small cubby.
I’m not 100% sure if in America it comes with premium audio in the hybrid, but I know in Canada it won’t (they usually only put it on the top trim only)
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concretecharlie51
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.
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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.
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Jgjginkg244
LOVE 3 Combo!
No CVT hybrid. I’d rather have less mpg with better power ratio when battery is not providing any power.
Sienna is a detrimental at higher altitude with full load of passengers. Short freeway merge spells out disaster with 18 wheelers on the collision course.
Carnival > Sienna
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LOVE 3 Combo!
No CVT hybrid. I’d rather have less mpg with better power ratio when battery is not providing any power.
Sienna is a detrimental at higher altitude with full load of passengers. Short freeway merge spells out disaster with 18 wheelers on the collision course.
Carnival > Sienna
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jiaweichen9296
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.
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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.
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ianwong1711
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 timearound 8 seconds, if I’m not mistaken.
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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 timearound 8 seconds, if I’m not mistaken.
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james2042
I'd honestly want to see a chrome package option that un blacks out all the trims and wheel.
Edit: completely lost interest the moment I saw that touch bar in the infotainment, oh well it was nice while it lasted
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I'd honestly want to see a chrome package option that un blacks out all the trims and wheel.
Edit: completely lost interest the moment I saw that touch bar in the infotainment, oh well it was nice while it lasted
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JamesCovalentBond
I like that Kia decided to keep its V6 engine for Carnival because there are definitely some buyers who like the smoothness of big engines. I currently own V6, and it accelerates smoother than any I4
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I like that Kia decided to keep its V6 engine for Carnival because there are definitely some buyers who like the smoothness of big engines. I currently own V6, and it accelerates smoother than any I4
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phantom6knight
This was almost as great as watching Captain America finally say Avengers, assemble in Endgame. This was so much fun to watch. Great job guys. Next time, Tommy Alex in the trunk!
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This was almost as great as watching Captain America finally say Avengers, assemble in Endgame. This was so much fun to watch. Great job guys. Next time, Tommy Alex in the trunk!
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JamesCovalentBond
Fun fact about Hyundai/Kia HEVs: if you change the drive mode to sport mode, the paddles on the wheel ACTUALLY shift gears. I am not sure Carnival hev has the sport mode tho
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Fun fact about Hyundai/Kia HEVs: if you change the drive mode to sport mode, the paddles on the wheel ACTUALLY shift gears. I am not sure Carnival hev has the sport mode tho
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nikidelvalle
I feel like AWD is such an overrated feature, and completely not worth the expense. Winter tires will make a bigger difference than AWD every time.
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I feel like AWD is such an overrated feature, and completely not worth the expense. Winter tires will make a bigger difference than AWD every time.
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ItsAlive111
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
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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
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wesluk2608
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.
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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.
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LetMeCook86
I agree. It looks great! Just needs higher mpg, awd and separation of stereo/hvac. Pushing 40 mpg would be sweet. 29 mpg ain’t cutting it!
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I agree. It looks great! Just needs higher mpg, awd and separation of stereo/hvac. Pushing 40 mpg would be sweet. 29 mpg ain’t cutting it!
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naveenthemachine
This is the best in class. The perfect minivan.
Kia nailed it to no one’s surprise as Kia always surpasses expectations
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This is the best in class. The perfect minivan.
Kia nailed it to no one’s surprise as Kia always surpasses expectations
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scott8919
On Hondas it'll stay at what regen level you set it to if you put the gear selector in B. Also defaults that way when in Sport mode.
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On Hondas it'll stay at what regen level you set it to if you put the gear selector in B. Also defaults that way when in Sport mode.
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ahbrian
Best looking minivan inside out! That is why Hyundai Kia motor company became 3rd largest auto company in the world. Good job Kia.
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Best looking minivan inside out! That is why Hyundai Kia motor company became 3rd largest auto company in the world. Good job Kia.
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L. L
Love the no transition feel and the regen paddles are awesome I have them on my Clarity I use them all the time to slow down
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Love the no transition feel and the regen paddles are awesome I have them on my Clarity I use them all the time to slow down
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