Summary

• With 102 currently listed for sale near Raleigh, NC and an average price of $38,482.00, 44.1% of 2025 Kia Carnivals for sale on CarGurus are rated as good or great deals.

• Favorably reviewed: Owners rated the 2025 Kia Carnival 5 / 5 stars.

• 100.0% of 2025 Carnival models on CarGurus are accident free.

Why it stands out

The 2025 Kia Carnival stands out because it brings minivan practicality in a package that looks far more aggressive, angular, and modern than the usual family hauler. It also keeps the Carnival’s SUV-like styling, low step-in height, and long, boxy shape, which help make it appealing for buyers who want easy access, strong passenger comfort, and generous cargo space without moving to a truck-based SUV. Kia’s long warranty and the availability of lots of standard technology and driver-assist features add to its appeal, and the second-row “VIP lounge seats” remain one of its most distinctive touches.

For 2025, Kia added a gas-electric powertrain shared with the Kia Sorento Hybrid. That hybrid uses a 1.6-liter turbo inline-four and a small electric motor to make 242 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, and it is rated at 34 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. The Carnival’s V6 remains available too, with 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. In testing, the cabin and engine were louder than those of competitors, and the hybrid system was not as smooth at low speeds as the Toyota Sienna’s, but the Carnival still earned praise for its interior quality, comfortable ride, body control, and direct steering.

The 2025 update also brought a redesigned dashboard with updated infotainment screens, along with exterior changes such as a wider, longer grille, vertically stacked headlights, amber daytime-running lamps, revised taillights, new bumpers, and new wheels. Buyers also get a wide trim range, from the LX through the SX Prestige, and hybrid versions are available with every trim level except the base LX for a $2,000 premium. That breadth makes the Carnival flexible, but it also comes with a few tradeoffs: low towing ratings, no all-wheel drive, and seats that Kia does not make especially easy to fold.

Other model years to consider

• 2023 Kia Carnival

  • Average price: $25,986.00
  • Good/great deal percentage: 37.7%
  • User rating: 5 / 5
  • Total listings: 106

• 2026 Kia Carnival

  • Average price: $36,125.00
  • Good/great deal percentage: 49.0%
  • User rating: 5 / 5
  • Total listings: 51

• 2024 Kia Carnival

  • Average price: $36,239.00
  • Good/great deal percentage: 43.0%
  • User rating: 4.75 / 5
  • Total listings: 107

This analysis is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.