Review: 2025 Kia Carnival SX Prestige

The Driving Experience: Smooth, Strong, and Surprisingly Sharp

Let’s not pretend a minivan will thrill your inner race car driver, but the 2025 Carnival SX Prestige holds its own. The 3.5-liter V6 delivers more than enough grunt to get up to speed on highway onramps and pass comfortably on rural roads. The ride is smooth, confident, and handles better than you might expect for something that can haul half a soccer team and their snacks.

This isn’t a “fun” drive in the traditional sense, but it is composed and comfortable—exactly what you want for long trips or daily errands. In its class, the Carnival shines in road manners, with minimal body roll and an overall sense of refinement that places it above the average family hauler.

 
VIP Comfort: The Cabin That Could Double as Business Class

Step inside, and the Carnival SX Prestige gets down to business—the kind with leg rests and reclining chairs. The second-row VIP lounge seats steal the show. They recline nearly flat and even shift side-to-side to accommodate deeper reclining angles without bumping into the rear wheel wells. It's a thoughtful—and frankly clever—design solution.

Whether you're a passenger stretching out like you're on a long-haul flight or a driver enjoying the well-padded, upscale front seats, the experience is one of comfort and class. Adults will be comfortable in all rows, though the third row is still best left to the kids or flexible adults on shorter trips. Children love the abundant space and freedom to move around, while adults appreciate the air of calm luxury.

Tech That Gets Out of Your Way

Kia has figured out that infotainment should be functional first and flashy second. The Carnival’s interface is easy to navigate, with quick access to everyday features and a layout that makes sense from both the driver and passenger perspective. The wide panoramic screen spans from the digital gauge cluster into the infotainment area with a single, sweeping design that looks premium without trying too hard.

Wireless Apple CarPlay finally makes an appearance (Kia was admittedly late to this party), and pairing is quick and painless. Whether you’re navigating, playing music, or wrangling multiple devices in the cabin, the Carnival doesn’t miss a beat.

Passenger-Focused Practicality, Wrapped in a Premium Package

What makes the Carnival shine isn’t just the flash—it’s the function. There are USB ports in all rows, a three-zone climate control system that keeps everyone happy, and more storage nooks and cupholders than a busy family could hope for. Even with the third row in use, trunk space remains generous thanks to a deep cargo well—perfect for road trips or weekend errands at max capacity.

Drop the third row, and the Carnival transforms into a cavernous cargo hauler. It’s this flexibility—seating seven or eight in true comfort one minute, carrying furniture the next—that makes the Carnival not just a van, but a solution.

Looks That Lean More ‘Clean’ Than ‘Crossover’

Kia would like you to think the Carnival is SUV-inspired, but let’s be honest—it’s still a minivan. And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, if you're someone who embraces the practicality of sliding doors (and let’s be real: they’re awesome), you’ll appreciate the Carnival for exactly what it is.

Yes, Kia has sharpened up the lines and added some aggressive grille work, and yes, it wears its paint and wheels like something from the crossover aisle. But fundamentally, the Carnival is a great-looking minivan, and that’s perfectly okay. For those who know the value of a sliding door in a tight parking lot, it’s more than okay—it’s ideal.

Safety and Driver Assist: Like a Co-Pilot You Can Learn to Trust

Kia’s suite of driver assistance tech performs smoothly and mostly stays out of your way. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and other features work reliably once you get used to their cadence.

As with many modern systems, there’s a short adjustment period—but once you understand how it thinks, you can work with it naturally. It's like learning a new dance partner: a little awkward at first, then gracefully helpful.

Worth the Price Tag? Absolutely—If You’re the Right Buyer

At around $50,000, the Carnival SX Prestige doesn’t come cheap—but it does come loaded. The level of luxury, comfort, and convenience offered in this top trim is easily on par with many luxury-brand SUVs. The difference? The Carnival is actually more usable for real families.

If your lifestyle warrants a minivan but your standards demand something stylish, the Carnival Prestige makes a compelling case. You’ll pay luxury money, but you’ll get luxury results—with far more practicality than any comparable SUV.

Final Verdict: A Minivan That Knows It’s Good—and Doesn’t Apologize for It

The 2025 Kia Carnival SX Prestige isn’t pretending to be anything else. Sure, it borrows some SUV flair, but at its heart, it’s a really great minivan. And for the families who aren’t ashamed to drive what works, this is one of the best options on the market. It’s practical, comfortable, impressively techy, and just luxurious enough to turn heads and raise eyebrows—especially when those reclining second-row seats go full airline mode.