Words by: Adam Allen
We recently had Kia’s new Carnival plug-in hybrid minivan- er, MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle)- in the Carpages Garage. Since most of our contemporaries are those with young families we couldn’t wait to ask them what they thought of the stylish effort that tries hard at cosplaying like an SUV. We imagined that like us, they would be extremely impressed with what Kia has produced, and for the most part they were. How could you not be charmed by a vehicle that’ll schlep your entire family plus stuff on journeys big and small, in comfort, all while returning incredibly stingy fuel consumption? Yet despite those sparkling virtues there was a common theme amongst those we canvassed, and most deemed it too uncool for a spot in their own driveways, and that they would prefer a three-row SUV for family hauling duties instead. Which led us to wonder: why is that? Do these people think that when they pull up to the curb in their dime-a-dozen SUV that a revered hush falls over all those nearby because it’s cooler than a minivan? The answer: No, it does not.
So why then do so many people abhor the humble but useful minivan? A working theory we have is that minivan aversion can be traced to something as simple as people refusing to drive what their parents drove, an old axiom that might explain why station wagons are virtually extinct (but having a moment of their own- see ‘Audi RS6 and BMW M5 Touring’.) Or perhaps the terms ‘uncool’ and ‘minivan’ seem destined to live beside one another because they’re just not the kinds of cars that people lust after. Whatever the case may be, we just can’t comprehend why someone would shun a vehicle that is made so specifically for their station in life. These cars will accept everyone and their stuff in comfort and ask little in return. Better to think of them as a tool to make family life easier, like buying prepared meals instead of scratch cooking at dinner time.
These days, despite a lack of choice, minivans are nothing to laugh at, boasting levels of comfort and equipment that would have seemed preposterous a decade ago when so many manufactures have fled the segment. There are a few stalwarts still in the game- the Carnival you see here, as well as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. They are all great options but each have their own unique features and design, so shoppers shouldn’t shy away from kicking tires and taking a closer look to find out which one is best for their respective families.
Some of you will be wearing a vindictive sneer of distaste at where we’re going with this, so we might as well get right to the negative aspects of the Kia Carnival, small as they are. There’s a puzzling design miscue with the flipping of controls for the infotainment and climate functions. The super cool reclining middle row seats- ‘VIP Seating’ as Kia refers to them- make entry into the rear row a tad difficult. And we noticed a surprising lack of chassis rigidity when the Carnival would be asked to negotiate subpar tarmac (yet inside it was quiet as a library with nothing squeaking or rattling.) None of these gripes are worth any snide comments or serve as validation that minivans are not worthy of a spot in the family fleet.
Step inside the Carnival and we dare you not to be amazed. Kia has been churning out some genuinely nice interiors as of late, and the Carnival seems to exceed the rest of the lineup with a mix of quality finishes and first-rate assembly. The people mover gives off seriously upscale vibes, what with its panoramic sweep of crisply rendered digital displays and thoughtfully laid out switchgear. Of course, those not riding up front will no doubt enjoy their heated and cooled reclining captain’s chairs, evoking memories of the Maybach ultra-luxury SUV we piloted a few years back. There are nooks and crannies for storage scattered every which way, and there are USB ports- many of them- placed exactly where you want them so no device will go uncharged. There is even a public address system with video so you can see which of your passengers is picking their nose and then promptly admonish them for it. Although our time spent in the Carnival saw us doing the kind of mundane chores like trips to the grocery store and shuttling the little ones around typical of minivan life, we would have relished the opportunity to take it on a long road trip to bask in its sumptuousness while the kilometers slipped by in comfort. Because of the fuel sipping nature of the Carnival’s drivetrain there’d be many a kilometer that would go by before a fuel stop is needed.
If a long drive is on the menu there would no doubt be fights over who gets to sit in the middle row perches but whoever draws the short straw and is therefore mandated to drive, it isn’t a bad spot to be in at all; the Carnival goes down the road quietly and smoothly. Sure, the steering is a bit vague and handling is best described as deliberate, but what do you expect of a minivan? Without the higher ground clearance of an SUV, it actually feels more composed and buttoned down whether you find yourself on the highway or puttering around town. There are a few different drive modes and included is a Sport setting. While it does appreciably sharpen the steering and acceleration, it felt more like a gimmick and we left it in Eco mode 99.99% of the time to take advantage of its fuel sipping prowess. We expect that is exactly what real Carnival owners will do after they get their fix playing around with the settings available.
While the name Carnival may elicit memories of too many candy apples, janky merry-go-round rides and deep fried everything, Kia’s minivan succeeds at banishing those associations with its very handsome minivan. That’s right folks- we just described the styling of a minivan as handsome. Those responsible for its design deserve a raise not just for making the Carnival look like an SUV, but a good-looking vehicle in general. So the next time your neighbour casts a disapproving glance in your direction as they cruise by in whatever anonymous three-row SUV they happen to be driving, you can return a knowing smirk. Kia’s Carnival hybrid is nothing to be embarrassed about whatsoever- when you got it, flaunt it.
2025 Kia Carnival HEV SX+ - Specifications
- Price as tested: $58,895
- Body Type: 4-door, 7 passenger minivan
- Powertrain Layout: Front engine/front-wheel drive
- Engine: 1.6L turbocharged inline-four, DOHC, 16 valves
- Horsepower: 178 @ 6,400 rpm
- Torque (lb-ft.): 195 @ 1,500 rpm
- Electric Motor Output: 74 horsepower/224 lbs-ft of torque
- Total System Output: 242 horsepower/271 lbs-ft of torque
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Curb weight: 2,261 kg (4,985 lbs)
- Observed Fuel Consumption: 7.2L/100 km (33 mpg)