Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV 2025 Review

The Carnival is the People Mover segment in Australia. If you compiled the results of its competition, that figure still wouldn’t amass half the sales racked up by the likeable Kia. It’s that dominant.

However, the Seoul-based company isn’t resting on its laurels, with the entire range undergoing a mid-lifecycle refresh in 2024 with increased prices. Styling tweaks, an overhaul of the cabin tech with a lot of added kit and a localised tune for the dynamics headline the makeover.

Oh, and the inclusion of the petrol-electric hybrid variant (HEV) we’re testing here. The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV breaks new ground by not only offering hybrid assistance to the people-moving Kia, but it’s the most expensive Carnival ever with a sticker of $76,210 before on-road costs (ORCs).

Want a cheaper HEV version? You can’t have one, yet. Due to supply constraints and its popularity in other markets, the HEV powertrain can only be selected in the top-spec GT-Line model grade.

In close succession we also had the $70,680 (plus ORCs) GT-Line petrol V6 (a $5100 premium on the Platinum it replaces) in for testing, which is virtually identical to the HEV aside from the powertrain.

The front-wheel-drive-only range continues to comprise five model grades (S, Sport, Sport+, GT-Line Lite and GT-Line) with the choice of petrol, turbo-diesel or hybrid powertrains. Ultimately, you’ll be paying between $2670 and $5390 more for the updated Carnival depending on the specification and engine you choose.

Rivals for the Carnival include one from within Kia’s own extended family, the Hyundai Staria. Its polarising design could be outweighed by the fact it’s offered with turbo-diesel propulsion and all-wheel drive. Two other options worth looking at are the thrifty LDV MIFA and trusty Toyota Granvia.

Once industry-leading, Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty covers the Carnival, while there’s also a year of roadside assistance.

Servicing intervals for the HEV are shorter than for the V6 and turbo-diesel Carnival at 12 months or 10,000km, which is 5000km sooner.

Capped-price servicing is offered, but the HEV incurs the most expensive upkeep – by some margin, too. After seven years it totals $4597, or $657 on average. That’s compared to $557 for the V6 and $594 for the turbo-diesel.

The family isn’t going to be left wanting for features given the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV’s status within the line-up. It goes a long way to justifying the monetary increase, too.

Outside, the Carnival conforms to Kia’s attractive modern aesthetic with adoption of vertical LED headlights up front and slimline LED taillights that expand across the rear tailgate. Grouped with the fresh 19-inch alloys, the GT-Line certainly forms a striking silhouette.

Inside there’s tri-zone climate control, faux leather upholstery, dual sunroofs, keyless entry and push-button start, powered sliding side doors and tailgate and a heated steering wheel. The front seats are heated and cooled (the outboard middle-row seats are also heated), with 10-way power adjustment for the driver as well as lumbar and memory functionality.

There are a few quirky, family-friendly features, too. Passenger talk amplifies the voice of front-seat passengers to the rear via the sound system, while a Quiet mode helps keep sleeping children asleep and live weather updates can also be found within the infotainment.

The rear-view mirror can also transform into a digital display, negating the need to look through your passengers when all pews are occupied.

An additional party trick is the Smart key that not only affords remote start, but it can also be used for the smart park assist – essentially allowing you to drive into or reverse out of a space from outside the car via the key fob.

The Kia Connect app also performs remote start as well as eCall, vehicle status monitoring and climate control activation. However, make sure you’ve checked out the privacy settings if you wish utilise this service.

The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV is currently unrated by ANCAP. However, the rest of the range attained a five-star result in 2021.

There are eight airbags – including a front central airbag and curtains that extend to the third row – as well as five ISOFIX points and five top-tether anchorages.

Other active safety is highlighted by front and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with forward cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, active lane keeping, head-up display, traffic-sign recognition and a 360-degree camera.

Two interesting additions are the live digital feeds of your blind spots within the instrument cluster and the ability for the car to change lanes for you after indicating on select highways.

And in what is becoming an automotive broken record, audible warnings for the road-sign recognition and lane keeping are frustrating. It’s a universal issue and not just specific to Kia, one brought on by a requirement from the crash-testing regulators.

Kia has made it ‘relatively’ simple to quell the bings and bongs via a shortcut button on the multi-function steering wheel. Yet, you still must revert to the infotainment screen for a few extra taps to shut everything down.

Although, a reason to persist with the warnings is the fact that your average speed is indicated within the head-up display – a handy stat to keep an eye on for those highway camera traps.

Finally, the top-spec Carnival acquires a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. It’s just one of many tech upgrades within the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV.

Accompanying the clear and concise instrument cluster is another 12.3-inch screen for the infotainment. Together they mimic one curved panel. The central touchscreen houses Kia’s latest operating system that now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other inclusions are a wireless phone-charging pad, USB-C ports, Bluetooth, native sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio and voice recognition. To keep the kids happy and the tunes pumping, the GT-Line scores an upgraded 12-speaker Bose sound system, too.

There’s no way of getting around the fact that the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is thirsty and antiquated. Especially when compared to diesel and even more so against the hard-to-get hybrid drivetrain.

So, the addition of the proven SmartStream hybrid powertrain is a welcome one. And the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV delivers.

In this hybrid guise the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine offers 132kW and 265Nm. The transmission incorporates an e-motor generating 54kW and 304Nm for a combined system output of 180kW and 366Nm. Healthy figures for sure, which are channelled to the front wheels via the six-speed automatic.

However, the sweet-sounding 216kW and 355Nm SmartStream V6 petrol engine isn’t without grunt or charm. It’s also front-wheel drive and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s a relatively refined engine while the gearbox provides smooth shifts.

Progress is sufficient rather than spirited in both – you can thank the more than 2000kg kerb weight for hampering that. The duo has enough torque, but it’s the HEV that is the more pleasing powertrain in all driving scenarios.

This is where all the extra cost of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV needs to be recouped – and, if you drive a lot, it very well could be.

It has the best claimed combined fuel consumption of the range at 5.8L/100km. It achieves this by switching between being in full EV mode (drawing energy from the 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack) or having the e-motor work in unison with the turbo-petrol engine. And you don’t have to charge it – that’s largely done via regenerative braking.

While we didn’t match the HEV’s claim, our number totalled 7.1L/100km through varied conditions. However, it’s mighty impressive considering the V6 petrol returned 11.5L/100km over the same route (it’s claimed to achieve 9.6L/100km).

Both can run on cheaper 91 RON or E10 and drink from a 72-litre tank.

For reference, the turbo-diesel has a claimed average consumption of 6.5L/100km.

For all the hyped advantages of opting for an SUV over an MPV (err, sorry, we mean GUV), the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV holds its head high in terms of dynamics.

For an eight-seater, the Carnival handles well. Not that the previous iteration was bad, but the Aussie fettling to the suspension (spring rates and upgraded dampers) and power steering tune has further honed an already accomplished dynamic package.

The ride quality is compliant over slow-speed lumps and bumps, with only the harshest and sharpest imperfections translating to occupants inside the cabin. The HEV is impressively refined, with the chubby sidewalls of the Continental tyres doing their best work to offset the large 19-inch alloys.

What the suspension can’t fully disguise is the weight. Body control is largely kept in check via the MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) set-up, which is a boon for family welfare and avoiding travel sickness.

It isn’t possible due to the interior packaging, but it’s a shame all-wheel drive isn’t offered as the front axle can be overpowered in wet conditions. Although, it must be said that the Carnival (with Continental tyres) offers more purchase than some front-wheel drive Hyundai/Kia SUVs.

All the controls are easy to use with the steering being light enough to navigate car parks and a country road, while the brakes are strong with progressive pedal feel despite the HEV featuring energy recouperation. You can change gears manually via the steering-wheel-mounted paddles and there are four driving modes to choose from – Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart.

Yes, the Carnival has a large footprint – it’s 5155mm long, 1995mm wide and 1775mm tall. However, it’s surprisingly easy to use within the tight confines of a city. You certainly shouldn’t be daunted by the dimensions with helpful camera and sensor aids, too.

Overall, the both the Carnival GT-Line HEV and petrol V6 handle better than they’re feasibly required to.

Well, this is all a bit fancy for the family, isn’t it? Not only is the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV packed to the gills with tech and convenience, but it also gains the company’s updated styling, too. There’s a general upmarket look to the cabin despite some scratchy plastics below the belt line.

Yes, there is a reliance on touchscreens, but the infotainment is intuitive to use and the dedicated touch-sensitive panel for the climate and audio controls is an ergonomic win (you simply touch a ‘button’ to flip between the two). A row of dedicated controls for things like the seat heating/cooling is a nice touch, too.

In terms of storage there is a large central cubby, as well as various spaces for random paraphernalia and a plethora of cup/bottle holders. It is a shame that the front door bins aren’t large enough to hold big bottles.

Each row has dedicated directional air vents, which are handily located within the roof for rows two and three. It’s worth stepping up the model grades for the electrically operated sliding side doors too, while they also house oversized windows that can be retracted.

Yet, it’s all about a pragmatic use of space. Head and legroom are generous in the middle row. It’s also clever, as you can slide the chairs forward and aft individually, recline them and even fold the centre unit to create an armrest or completely remove it to produce a pseudo walking path to row three.

Being able to slide the middle pews also liberates legroom in the third row – which can genuinely accommodate children and adults alike. It’s a genuine 2+3+3 layout. Getting back there is relatively easy thanks to a wide opening created by a clever folding mechanism.

Thoughtful touches include access to USB-C charging ports in every row, in-built sunblinds, map pockets and a multitude of cup holders. The tailgate and side doors can also be programmed to open or close automatically given the proximity of the key fob. Although, a bugbear is the fact the seatbelt for the middle third-row seat tethers from the roof.

The real Carnival trump card is its cargo capacity. With a boot floor that’s sculpted into the depth of the chassis, even in full eight-seat mode there’s 627 litres of space.

In the petrol V6, this is aided by the repositioning of the space-saver spare, which you’ll now find underneath the middle row on the driver’s side. The only downside is that’s it’s harder to access if you require it. Although at least it has one – the HEV’s hybrid gubbins replaces the spare wheel altogether.

You can virtually transform your Carnival into a small van in five-seat mode. The 60/40-split third row stows flat into the floor with relative ease and liberates a gigantic 2785L of capacity. The possibilities are endless.

Overall, the cabin isolates noise, vibration and harshness well and general comfort is high – all attributes you want in a family-hauling people mover.

The short answer is ‘yes’. No question. There’s a reason Kia’s venerable MPV continues to dominate the people-mover segment. And the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV holds strong appeal.

A stumbling block will be the fact the HEV is a costly GT-Line-only prospect (for now) and it’s the most expensive variant to service. It’s also hard to recommend the V6 given its appetite for fuel. As an allrounder, then, the turbo-diesel continues as a strong option and the one to which buyers will gravitate.

If you can get your hands on one, the petrol-electric hybrid is a fuel miser – especially for inner-city warfare and suburban streets. This is great news for private and fleet purchasers.

Ultimately, no matter the powertrain, the Kia Carnival is the prize ride at the people-mover parade. It, and its buyers, should wear the MPV designation with pride.

2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line at a glance:
Price: $76,210 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol-electric
Output: 132kW/265Nm (electric motor: 54kW/304Nm)
Combined output: 180kW/366Nm
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Battery: 1.5kWh lithium-ion
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 132g/km (ADR Combined)

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