Join CR at to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
CR recently purchased a 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid EX for our test program. While sharing many of the traits of the standard Carnival minivan, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) as Kia calls it, it now comes with a hybrid drivetrain, which aims to provide fuel savings for those who need to haul around a lot of people, cargo, or both. But does it deliver on that promise?
But does it outdo the Flex and GV60?
More of these videos please! Having a ten and seven year old kids, all points she makes are spot on!
Sorry, you need to teach children to buckle up themselves.
My mother did when I was a child, and I am now 60. The first thing I do when entering any vehicle is to buckle up, whether I am the driver, front or rear passenger.
Looks like a gray, not brown, interior. I’d love a brown interior.
Image the people who survived car ownership and car travel without a single cup holder. I have a Honda Fit and I have 3 front cupholders. The cupholder to the left of the steering wheel holds my cell phone holder. The 2 center cupholders hold my toll change and candy. I rarely, if ever, had a drink while driving.
I think “MPV” stands for multi-purpose vehicle. “Multi-passenger” would be pretty silly because even a little Corolla seats 5.
👍Well Done
+1 for having that second middle seat for total of 8 passenger capacity. In minivans, I don’t understand the trend for second row captains chairs, encouraging/empowering backseat drivers (kidding, not kidding).
I guess the new VW ID Buzz kind of competes with this, but as a full EV instead of a hybrid, I can excuse it not being mentioned – also the VW would be is a higher price class lol.
Horrible review