2025 Kia Carnival review - Why buy a 7 seater SUV? This 8-seat people mover (MPV) is AMAZING!

SUVs are silly, and you know it.
People-mover vans like the Kia Carnival MPV are brilliant. I mean, you have to be okay with front-wheel drive only, as there's no AWD model available, and some people think they look dorky...
But those people are wrong. Because the updated 2025 Kia Carnival is a brilliant machine, with three rows of seats (with 8 seat capacity), a huge boot or trunk space, diesel or petrol V6 power, and a new HEV petrol-electric hybrid model on its way, too!
The branding has changed - with S, Sport, Sport+, GT-Line Lite and flagship GT-Line now the five versions to choose from. And yes, that means the Platinum version is done!
Even so, there's a lot to like about the new-look KA4 PE Kia Carnival, and in this detailed review I will tell you what version I'd be buying if I needed a vehicle like this for my family, and also the best alternatives to it!
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Here are a few alternatives, too:
LDV Mifa: • Best alternative to Ki...
Pre-facelift Kia Carnival review: • So much smarter than a...
A very different kind of 8 seater - the Nissan Patrol: • 2024 Nissan Patrol War...
Also have a look at the Hyundai Palisade: • Best 8 seater SUV? 202...
And the Kia Sorento 7 seater: • 2024 Kia Sorento revie...
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00:00 2025 Kia Carnival
00:23 Is it the right price?
03:16 What are the best alternatives?
04:34 Is it the right size?
06:45 Interior
15:00 Under the bonnet
15:51 Driving
21:20 Efficiency
22:09 Is it safe?
23:38 Ownership
24:29 Verdict
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#kia #carnival #review

[@marksweet8740]

Why on earth would you want an SUV when this just cooler and better.

[@therightcar]

I agree.

[@michaelgoh5830]

Rented a pre-facelift petrol Kia Carnival for our road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide in December 2022. The boot was loaded to the brim and there were 8 of us. The ride was comfortable,the only problem we encountered was a glitch on the touch screen which momentarily went dark In Adelaide. It is a fantastic people mover.

[@therightcar]

Agree 👍 it’s a cracker!!

[@mindfreeze0838]

Had a former neighbour who when I last saw her 2 years ago she had 2 kids and a Tiguan,now she has 4 kids and a Carnival and was I so proud of her because she wasnt caught by the 7 seat Suv trap. The 3rd row in those things are only useful for preteens at best(worse if i was based on a ute). What the market need however are smaller less pricier MPV's so families doont have to spend a bomb to get decent transport for all members of a large family.

[@RodneyW]

The value of this car in comparison with the Kia EV9 is impressive. $65k vs $100-120k! At the tested consumption rate of 7 litres / 100km, the Carnival diesel has a range of more than 1000km - i.e. a comfortable trip between Sydney and Melbourne without refuelling. (Yes, I know that you need comfort stops.... but the best places to stop for food & toilet on the Hume are not the places with cheap petrol stations and/or chargers!!). The EV9 has a WLTP range of 440km, and would struggle to achieve 400km on a freeway. That's at least two stops for recharging with a consumption of around 21 kWh/100km at 110km/h. The upshot of that is that the EV9 is only around 30% cheaper for "fuel" (at public charging stations) in comparison to the diesel Carnival.

[@gregturner_awod]

Many of the Foster Carers I worked with had Carnivals to travel with/transport the tribes of kids they often provided brilliant love and care for. The Carnivals were/are reliable, capacious, and in our regional setting, diesels predominated. The new version looks ‘fancier’ than the models I knew. I’d go for the Carnival above the others recommended, and think it drives better than the Staria which I’ve also driven (in my view). As said in the review the Carnival is very practical. The connected services and viewer for rear seats as described will make the Carnival safer. I agree the diesel is certainly the way to go with a vehicle like this. The new model looks excellent, fit for purpose, and pleasurable to drive. The hybrid model, if paired with the diesel, should be superb. The economy on the diesel sounds excellent, but I look forward to when you can review the hybrid. The top version seems to have everything. An excellent review, thank you!

[@Jude.username]

The Hybrid will be a 1.6T petrol with 5.8L/100km fuel economy

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate! It is a phenomenally thoughtful vehicle. I can’t wait to test the hybrid!

[@iiiNeURoTiC]

I picked up my GT Line T/D Friday, loving it, I do agree the lane keeping is a little savage

[@therightcar]

Nice! Hope it works out for you.

[@BigBopper-zm1kf]

Just learn to disengage it as part of your start up regime

[@stnucynuff]

Would be great to see a comparison with the upcoming Ford Tourneo

[@yazars]

Appreciate the review! Wonder how similar the petrol V6 3.5L version in the United States will be to this one. Kias don't have a great reputation in terms of reliability in the US, but that may be more due to US made Kias rather than the South Korean made Carnivals.

[@PeskyEmu]

The specifications mention that there are 3 12v power sockets within the Kia Carnival. Traditionally in 4x4’s a second battery is installed as an auxiliary battery in order to run appliances such as fridges and lighting. In older vehicles the secondary battery was installed in the engine bay, in newer vehicles like my Mazda BT50 there is no space in the engine bay and the secondary battery had to be installed behind the rear passengers seats. There does not appear to be any room in the Kia Carnivals engine bay. I appreciate that the Carnival is not a 4x4 but for the purposes of traveling with children, I would like to know if installation of a secondary battery is possible? If so, would the 3 12v sockets then need to be completely rewired to run off the second battery? If no secondary battery is installed, is using the 12v sockets going to flatten the existing battery and prevent the vehicle from starting? And if this is the case, what is the point of them?

[@erictan7726]

Still not getting the 7 seater into Australia?

[@samaraiza]

The hybrid is a welcome addition but the lack of awd is a deal breaker.

[@d.mitchell8596]

Hi Matt, the previous video presented a Honda Accord Hybrid at a 62-ish K AUD price point... this people mover (and I know that some will say it's chalk and cheese) well equipped under 60k... Wonder what the hybrid Kia will cost... maybe low 60s? It's good to see that Kia markets quality and innovative products to our market..and competitive pricing, warranty, large service network, etc etc...I know where I would put my hard earned scratch!

[@d.mitchell8596]

I'll correct the Accord cost...closer to 65k drive away...

[@therightcar]

The hybrid Kia Carnival is $76k plus on-roads ….

[@gregturner_awod]

⁠Wow, sounds good.

[@bradleyhill8293]

In the spirit of overkill, this is a perfect vehicle for those with three kids. 😅 I'd love to see a comparison against the 1995 Toyota Tarago. It has zero safety and 8 seats. Comparing interior packaging would be a fun exercise. Considering It's shorter than a 2024 Camry. I guess size does matters.

[@sandilemajiya7831]

8 seater what a huge family car. Good for airport shuttle

[@therightcar]

You bet!

[@sammy25178]

What is the difference between the 2024 and 2025 hybrid carnival?

[@therightcar]

We never got the 2024 hybrid Carnival in Australia.

[@Richard-sl8we]

Anybody on this forum own or previously owned a VW Touareg 170 TDI? How is your experience with this large SUV? A family member in Melbourne is looking to buy a 2022/2023 model, will be good to get real feedback from owners.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the comment - if you want a take on the updated version of the Touareg, I’m covering it soon. I’ve also done a long towing test in the 210TDI (Sydney to Alice Springs) if you want to see it - check CarsGuide.

[@Richard-sl8we]

​@@therightcar Thanks, looking for anybody's feedback on current (old) 170 TDI, not interested in towing review or new Touareg.

[@Bronlynn23]

You mentioned the staria and the mifa but neither of those can have 5 tethered car seats

[@therightcar]

You’re right. The new Santa Fe can…!

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Is there any truth that Kia bought the springs and dampers from the Mazda CX 60 ?

[@therightcar]

LOL. No.

[@yazars]

Are the Kia carnivals sold in Australia made in South Korea? How reliable do Australians consider them to be?

[@viron6734]

Didn't you already post this comment in another video?

[@yazars]

@@viron6734 Yes, I posted them at the same time to get more people's input

[@Mav_F]

more reliable than the ones made in Mexico or the USA. Plus depending on what year they were made too. Some were shockers from South Korea too. Japan made are good too, but all depends on what models and year.

[@TheRealSygy]

wow, the way my jaw dropped when you showed a pic of that hyundai... not in a good way...

[@arthurl5852]

Pity we cant order that stunning pecan leather interior that can be optioned in the new Santa Fe Calligraphy

[@islandcoma]

Props to Matt for always talking about the annoying speed limit monitor. Hopefully if enough journos keep saying this they will make the required tweaks. I for one will stay away from all Hyundai and Kia models until this is fixed

[@jonathanchai8702]

Same. For the same reason they lost a customer for the Sonata

[@BigBopper-zm1kf]

Not all vehicles are designed for Australia. This vehicle is perfect for us as 2nd row passengers. 🙌

[@mindfreeze0838]

they arent removing the annoying ADAS because that makes Ancap super horny and all carmakers have to service Ancap well.

[@user-jv6sp9mk9q]

I was keen on buying one until I learned about this. The online version of the owners manual suggests the volume of the audible warning can be adjusted, and that this setting is retained even after restarting the car. It would be good if someone could confirm that this works, otherwise, it's an absolute no-go for me.

[@jonathanchai8702]

@@user-jv6sp9mk9q it's bad especially if you live near school zone and pass it everyday

[@jamesbuttigieg2879]

What a change from the model we had in the early 2000s. The van was great as far as room and comfort but the 2L four cylinder engine was woefully under powered and the three speed transmission was always hunting up and down. great to see such improvents. As for the speed warning chimes ,it's a pain in whatever vehicle you drive.

[@therightcar]

Thanks - it would no doubt feel like a completely different brand!

[@kaionafeni4863]

I wish they could make it in AWD

[@viron6734]

Do you live off-road?

[@Mav_F]

AWD uses more fuel and wears your tyres out faster etc. City people don't need AWD or people who don't go off-road in the outback. To me who lives in a country area with dirt roads, nothing wrong with it being FWD.

[@kaionafeni4863]

I said AWD not 4WD

[@Mav_F]

@@kaionafeni4863 Yes I got that. All wheel drive still uses a lot of fuel etc. I go places with my vehicles, where no one else will with a FWD. I guess living in the country on dirt roads and mud etc, helps me because of the experience I have in its ability.

[@cooljool1]

@@Mav_F it doesn't use that much actually.

[@campbellreither550]

I know I'm the odd one out, but I don't rate Kias at all. Overrated...

[@stendecstretcher5678]

I agree on both Hyundai and Kia to be honest. Had a new Cerato had problems with that mainly electrical. Then just got rid of our five-year-old Santa Fe. Electrical and gear box problems also the electric tailgate gave up. Both cars had low ks.