2025 Kia Carnival HEV Water Review

If you compile a list of vans that are not only practical but also good-looking and packed with features, the Kia Carnival would likely top the list. In fact, the Carnival may very well be the only vehicle on that list. Now in its fourth generation, Kia has updated the popular SUV-style eight-seater van with a mid-cycle facelift that includes a new petrol-hybrid option.

“It’s a remarkable vehicle which features many of the best attributes of Kia’s award-winning SUV models and repackages them into a technology-rich and impressively luxurious vehicle”, says Kia New Zealand’s Managing Director, Todd McDonald.

While the overall shape hasn’t changed, new LED headlights, taillights, and a larger, more aggressive-looking grille are the most noticeable updates on the exterior of the latest model. Kia incorporated its 'Opposites United' design philosophy into the update, with the new model weaving more SUV styling cues and new wheel options that include the option of 19-inch machine-finished alloys. With an overall length of 5.1 metres and a width of 2 metres, the facelift retains the same size, which can make manoeuvring it in tight spaces somewhat difficult.

The AA tested the Water variant, equipped with the new HEV petrol engine, and includes all premium features, for a price of $81,990 +ORC. While that price tag might raise some eyebrows, it's worth noting that there are more affordable diesel variants in the lineup. The Carnival has few rivals, so it's difficult to compare its price point with other brands. However, if we had to try, the Hyundai Palisade (a proper eight-seater SUV) starts at $86,990, which would make the Kia Carnival a bargain.  

The new 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine produces a gutsy 132kW of power and 265Nm of torque, while an electric device mounted on the transmission provides an additional 54kW and 305Nm from the 1.5kWh Lithium-Ion battery. When combined, the petrol and electric combo delivers 180kW and 367Nm to the front wheels.

The new HEV powertrain is exceptionally smooth and quiet, delivering power instantly with quick acceleration from a standstill. The trade-off with the petrol version over the diesel is that it only offers a 1,000 kg tow capacity, compared to the diesel's 2-tonne capacity. Being natively front-wheel drive, the Carnival still handles confidently on the open road, considering its size. Handling and grip are decent due to excellent weight distribution across the eight seats, and the steering feels light, making it easy to drive the gigantic van through the city. 

Kia claims the HEV option has a range of over 1,100 km, thanks to the Parallel Hybrid System, which allows the van to drive in both petrol and fully electric modes independently. During our road test, we achieved a fuel efficiency figure of 7.4L/100km, slightly higher than Kia’s stated figure of 6.4L/100km. Nevertheless, this is still quite reasonable for a car of this size.

Stepping inside, Kia manages to keep the Carnival feeling spacious, and the Water variant boasts a luxurious interior feel, thanks to the composite leather steering wheel and upholstery, which includes a heated steering wheel and heated front and second-row outer seats. Plus, the outer seats feature sun shades, adding a delightful touch of comfort and practicality. The third-row seats don’t skimp on legroom either; there's plenty of space to stretch out in the back, and when it comes to storage, the boot is impressive at 627 litres, expanding to a whopping 2,827 litres if you fold the third row into a special cavity in the boot. 

The dashboard is occupied by an immense panoramic display, which splits into two 12.3-inch screens: one for infotainment and the other for the instrument cluster. At first, the new interface may be a little difficult at first, but you quickly get used to it, especially with the customisable options that let you tailor the setup to your liking. You get wireless phone charging, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The dual-zone climate control system raises the comfort factor, allowing both front and rear passengers to set their ideal temperatures.

Thoughtful touches, such as the push-button start, a seamlessly integrated heads-up display, and a rotating gear dial in the centre console, enhance functionality and elevate the van's sense of luxury. 

Being a Kia, it's equipped with advanced safety features and driver-assist technology, including blind spot monitoring with a camera view displayed on the instrument cluster. Although the driver assist features are generous, they can sometimes feel intrusive and annoying; most notably, the lane-keep assist, which can sometimes feel like you're battling the steering wheel to keep it straight. Moreover, the consistent audible alerts, warning you about cars in the lanes next to you, can become annoying on the motorway where they go off every time you change lanes. 

Despite these little niggles, the new Carnival stands out as a great option for anyone who needs an eight-seater without going full van mode. The SUV-styling offers a sleek design and impressive build quality, making it a comfortable ride for up to eight passengers. Plus, with the added benefit of a petrol hybrid drivetrain, it’s a compelling choice for those wanting both space and efficiency.