The Kia Carnival: A family vehicle with a modern twist

(TestMiles) – Remember when minivans were the ultimate family vehicle, holding more snacks and carpool memories than an SUV could dream of? It’s time to rethink your image of this misunderstood hero. Once a symbol of suburban life, the minivan saw its heyday in the early 2000s, with over 1.3 million of these automotive boxes on wheels sold in 2000. But since then, they’ve been driven into near extinction by the rise of sleek, three-row SUVs. Yet, the Kia Carnival is here to prove that the minivan isn’t just surviving—it’s staging a comeback.

Let’s rewind. The debut of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager in 1983 was revolutionary, offering families sliding doors and spacious interiors—without the awkward station wagon vibes. For decades, Chrysler sold more than 600,000 minivans annually, and despite the decline, they’ve still managed to move more than 15 million units globally. So, what happened? Enter the Ford Explorer. With its 2011 redesign into a roomy, unibody SUV, families jumped ship, leaving minivans in their rearview mirrors. By 2023, minivan sales had shrunk to a mere 236,000 units.

However, 5% of buyers keep their faith, and minivan enthusiasts are in for a treat. The 2025 Kia Carnival is set to inject some excitement back into the segment, even if minivans have long been the butt of dad jokes. The real twist? The hybrid powertrain option, making it both eco-friendly and fuel-efficient, offers a 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid engine pumping out 242 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. Of torque. With a base model starting at $36,500 and the hybrid at $40,500, Kia is serving up a tech-laden vehicle that might make you rethink your SUV obsession.

The real shocker is the Carnival’s hybrid sibling: the SX Prestige Hybrid, topping out at a not-so-budget-friendly $52,600. But before you scoff, this isn’t your parents’ old Dodge Caravan with stale Cheerios under the seats. The Carnival features 17-inch aerodynamic wheels, paddle regenerative braking, and an impressive 12.3-inch panoramic infotainment screen. Oh, and let’s not forget the dual-power sliding doors. No more wrestling with heavy SUV trunks—wave your foot, and voilà, instant access.

Want more tech? Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit delivers over-the-air updates. At the same time, the Carnival’s 14.6-inch dual rear monitors allow your kids to stream their favorite shows in the backseat without constant cries of “Are we there yet?” For the safety-conscious (which should be all of us), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with junction crossing and Evasive Steering Assist are standard.

If that hasn’t piqued your interest, perhaps this will: the Carnival boasts six USB-C ports scattered across all three rows. It even has an in-cabin camera and intercom for those front-seat-to-back-seat “Stop poking your sister” conversations. The Quiet Mode is a lifesaver when the kids fall asleep muting the rear speakers while you blast your favorite tunes upfront.

What makes the 2025 Kia Carnival even more intriguing is its challenge to SUVs in a market where crossovers have long reigned supreme. Sure, it doesn’t scream rugged adventure like the Nissan Pathfinder, but with 287 horsepower in its non-hybrid 3.5-liter V6 option, it’ll still get you to the soccer field (and the mountains, if you insist). And in terms of practicality? No SUV can compete with the Carnival’s interior Slide-Flex seating configurations for all your DIY IKEA runs.

Here’s the kicker: even as the SUV world continues to balloon, the minivan, particularly with Kia’s bold reimagining, is proving there’s still space in the American driveway. As minivan sales continue to show a pulse, Kia’s Carnival is paving the way for a potential revival. The future of family vehicles might not be so one-dimensional after all.

So, whether you’re a die-hard SUV fan or secretly nostalgic for those long-ago minivan road trips, keep your eye on the Carnival. It may surprise you—and your kids will thank you for the extra legroom.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.