Nearby fall-themed events such as Oktoberfest at Grant's Farm have tasty beverages for grownups and fun activities for the kids! At Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis, we’re thrilled to introduce the 2025 Kia Carnival, a minivan that redefines family travel. If you're gearing up for family road trips or seasonal outings this fall, the 2025 Kia Carnival offers unmatched convenience and comfort. Its spacious interior, innovative features, and family-centric design make it an ideal choice for busy families seeking a smooth and enjoyable journey.
The 2025 Kia Carnival sports a fresh, stylish upgrade that differentiates it from traditional minivans. With a striking front end and sleek new headlights, it now boasts a bold SUV-like profile reminiscent of its Kia siblings, like the Sorento and all-electric EV9. This modern design, featuring an upright grille, vertical headlights, distinctive wheels, and a floating roofline, ensures the Carnival stands out as a top contender in the minivan segment.
Inside, the Carnival offers a cavernous trunk with 1,139 liters of space, perfect for all your fall gear. Need more room? The third-row seats fold flat into the trunk floor, expanding cargo capacity to an impressive 2,461 liters. The eight-passenger configuration further enhances practicality, with a middle seat in the second row doubling as a handy table for snacks or drinks.
The second-row seats are designed for flexibility, sliding, and folding with ease to create an enormous 4,110-liter cargo area when needed. Whether you're transporting furniture or a fresh haul from Costco, the Carnival has you covered. For even more space, the second row can be removed (except when equipped with captain’s chairs), making it exceptionally versatile.
Storage is ample, with cupholders, cubbies, large door pockets, and USB ports for every passenger, plus a 115-volt household plug in both the second row and the trunk. Automatic sliding doors make entry and exit effortless, especially when installing car seats or loading cargo. These doors, controllable from the key fob or various interior buttons, ensure you avoid dings from neighboring cars and make loading a breeze.
The 2025 Kia Carnival is packed with features designed to enhance family travel this fall. Most trims come with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, ensuring seamless connectivity. Base models include a heated windshield, front seats, and steering wheel, along with over-the-air updates for easy software improvements.
Step up to the EX trim for a wireless phone charger and additional USB ports for backseat passengers. The EX+ adds a digital instrument display and an interior camera system, perfect for keeping an eye on the kids. The SX trim, which we tested, includes premium amenities like a head-up display, ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and digital key compatibility. It also boasts an upgraded sound system, surround-view parking cameras, and blind-spot monitoring for added safety.
The SX+ trim adds heated and ventilated second-row seats, available in the seven-passenger configuration. Safety is a top priority with the Carnival, featuring a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features across all trims include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and automatic high-beam control.
Front and rear parking sensors provide additional peace of mind. The EX trim and above also offer a sensor-based rear seat reminder and rain-sensing wipers. Higher trims, like the EX+ and SX, include junction turning assist and an enhanced adaptive cruise control system, with the SX adding side parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking for even more protection.
Under the hood, the 2025 Kia Carnival features a robust 3.5L V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it ensures smooth performance, though it sends power exclusively to the front wheels—a less common feature in today’s AWD-dominant market. Despite its size, the Carnival is surprisingly easy to maneuver and park, thanks to its excellent visibility and large windows that minimize blind spots.
The 2025 Kia Carnival’s combination of space, comfort, and advanced technology ensures every journey is enjoyable and stress-free. Embrace this crisp and fantastic season with the Carnival and discover how the right vehicle can transform your family adventures!