Family car review: 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid
A fabulous large family hybrid
By Tace Clifford
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This is the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid! As if the Kia Carnival isn't already a favourite for families, this eight-seater people mover has just got even better by adding this new 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid Model to the range, so it should now be more fuel efficient too! I have previously reviewed the 2025 Kia Carnival on the Australian launch, but this time, I have a full range of Thule prams to test in the boot and multiple child seats to try in the second and third rows! Let's see how it fares as a BabyDrive and put it through our family car testing…
BabyDrive Verdict
This eight-seater, 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid joins the existing Diesel and Petrol engine models for the latest Kia Carnival that launched early in 2024.
Due to the popularity of the Special Edition (SE) trim, the diesel and petrol Carnival variants are now available in five different trim options: S, Sport, Sport+, GT-Line Lite, and GT-Line. This Petrol Hybrid is only available in the GT Line.
The S model starts around $50,150, the Sport $56,050, the Sport+ around $62,380, the GT-Line costs $70,680 and this GT-Line hybrid costs $76,210 before on-road costs.
The 2025 Kia Carnival has been updated on the exterior with a new ‘Tiger Nose' grill, vertically stacked headlights and a new indicator light design.
At the back, the rear lights and bumper have been redesigned to match the front.
The styling inside the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid is modern, minimal, and clutter-free, with a new sweeping media screen that wraps around the dash in front of the driver.
The Kia Carnival is well-set up inside for the needs of its passengers, big and small. There is plenty of storage throughout all three rows of seats, so kids have somewhere to store their water bottles, phones, tablets, toys, etc.
Third-row passengers have double cup holders on both sides and a phone holder. There are also USB-C sockets for charging devices.
Second-row passengers have plenty of storage space. In the back of the central console, there are two cup holders and a phone slot between them. There is also a 12V socket here.
The side doors have a bottle holder, and the central seat back folds down to create a table and has two cup holders. There are also two phone storage slots there.
Double map pockets and a bag hook are on the back of both front seats.
In the side of the front seats are USB-C sockets for second-row passengers to charge their devices while travelling.
The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid's central console has great storage. It has two practical-size cup holders and two phone charging trays, as well as USB-C sockets.
The central console box is a practical size for family use.
As is the glove box that will hold a wallet and iPad easily with the manual.
The front door bins are large and hold a refillable water bottle, an iPad, and a wallet.
There is a great seatbelt warning light on the ceiling, so you can easily see if anyone has removed their seatbelt.
Storage in the boot of the eight-seat 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid is fantastic for large families when using five or all eight seats. When using five seats, the third-row seats fold down into the floor. It's a bit lumpy for an emergency nappy change, so put a change mat down first! There are great storage shelves in the boot wall, too. I found we left the wipes and first aid kit for the endless supply of band-aids in these!
When using five seats, the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid will hold 24 shopping bags. That is comparable to the Kia EV9 which holds 19, the Hyundai Palisade which holds 21 and the Hyundai Staria which also holds 24.
When using two rows of seats, the Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid boot with 16 shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 16 shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 12 shopping bags.
The Thule Urban Glide 3 single is the ultimate all-terrain running stroller…
… with the back wheels on, fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 14 shopping bags.
… with the back wheels on, it will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 14 shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 20 shopping bags.
The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid boot can also accommodate two 90L, two 70L and two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
When using five seats, the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid's boot can accommodate a large dog.
The boot space is very practical for family camping trips as well.
When using all three rows of seats in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid, the boot is really deep and dips right down like a trough. It will hold 10 shopping bags, which is comparable to the Kia EV9, which will hold nine, the Hyundai Palisade, which will hold 8, and the Hyundai Staria, which will hold 16.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with five shopping bags when using all three rows of seats.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with five shopping bags when using all three rows of seats.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with one shopping bag when using all three rows of seats.
The Thule Urban Glide 3 single is the ultimate all-terrain running stroller…
… with the back wheels on, fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with three shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid when using all three rows of seats standing up!
Or folded down with six shopping bags.
Also the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid boot can also accommodate two 90L and two 70L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
Or you can fit a small or medium size dog in the boot of the Kia Carnival.
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid, there are ISOFix points in both outer second-row seats. They are not within plastic guides but nice and easy to connect to.
All three second-row seatbacks have top tether anchorages right down at the bottom. These anchorages are clearly labelled but not within plastic guides and are easily located through the boot or by bringing the seats forward. You may need an extension strap for rear-facing child seats to reach the anchorages.
Three child seats fit really well across the second row of the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid. Combinations of forward-facing and rear-facing child seats also fit well.
In the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid, both outer third-row seats have ISOFix. They are not within plastic guides but easy to connect.
There are top tether anchorages on the back of both third-row seats, down at the bottom, not within plastic guides, but they are clearly labelled and easy to connect to. There are lots of bag hooks and handles on the back of the third-row seats, so you have to look below those to the top tether anchorages!
Two child seats fit comfortably in the outer third-row seats, and I could fit between them.
Accessing the third-row seats is good in the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid. The second-row seats are all individual seats, so many families remove the central second-row seat and create a walk-through to the third-row.
As shown in this 2021 previous model Kia Carnival
Or you can move one of the outer second-row seats forward, giving you a little space to climb through to the third row.
The Kia Carnival has very good legroom. The second-row seats are all individual, so you can slide them backwards and forwards to distribute the space however your family needs to.
The footwells are completely flat throughout the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid, which provides great legroom for all rear passengers and allows everyone to get to and from their seats more easily and have good kick room.
With a forward-facing child seat in the third row and a rear-facing infant capsule in the second row, we could fit a 180cm driver in front.
Legroom can also be adapted by the driver bringing the front passenger seat forward or backward and changing the recline using the controls on the driver's side. These are particularly helpful when kids are getting in and out at pick up and drop off time from the kerb side of the vehicle and also when you have an elderly relative in the front passenger seat. Or your kids have great fun fiddling with them from the back while you are sitting in the ‘Ejector seat!'
All rear passengers are kept comfortable with air conditioning vents in the ceiling in both rear rows…
…that you can control from the front dash and media screen climate controls.
Both rows of rear passengers also have built-in window blinds in the is top-spec GT-Line 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid. These keep little passengers shaded from the sun while driving and save you from having to buy aftermarket versions.
The 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid has the new 12.3-inch media screen and 12.3-inch driver display that wrap around the driver's side of the dash.
The media system has the new minimal system, as seen in the Kia Sorento and Kia EV9, with the introduction of Valet Mode, voice commands, weather, SOS button, and stolen vehicle assistance, to name a few. You can customise the arrangement of the icons in the media system so the ones you use most regularly are easy to access when driving.
You have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can easily access your phone's navigation, listening and messaging apps etc while driving.
The reversing cameras are excellent in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid, with multiple views to choose from…
… and a digital rearview mirror, too.
The 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid is a very comfortable eight-seater family car. The visibility is very good with the cameras, so it doesn't feel too large to drive around town or to park, and it's comfortable on highways and gravel roads.
Overall, the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid makes a very practical and modern BabyDrive for those looking for an eight-seat family car and for smaller families who just want the flexibility of carrying more passengers when they need to, bikes, camping, etc. It comfortably fits five child seats in the back, with good third-row access and legroom. There is a little visibility out of the rear windscreen, which is amazing!
Boot space is excellent when using five or eight seats; it can hold a double Thule Urban Glide 3 double pram and some shopping!
Kia Carnivals from 2021 have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 90% for adult occupancy and 88% for child occupancy in crash testing. This hybrid model is yet to be given an ANCAP rating.
The 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid has eight airbags including a central airbag between the front occupants, to prevent them knocking heads in the event of a side impact and including side airbags that extend to the third-row occupants.
Dual frontal, side head-protecting airbags (first, second & third rows), and side chest-protecting airbags (first row), and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is not available on vehicles built prior to February 2024, and is fitted as standard from this date.
There is a child lock button in the driver's door control panel so you can easily lock the rear doors and windows so little kids can't fiddle with them while you are driving.
BabyDrive Indepth
BabyDrive Indepth - Storage
How big is the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid?
The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid's boot is epic! It is very practical for family use, whether you use all eight seats or just the first two rows.
When using five seats, the third-row seats fold down into the floor. It's a bit lumpy for an emergency nappy change, so put a change mat down first! There are great storage shelves in the boot wall, too. I found we left the wipes and first aid kit for the endless supply of band-aids in these!
When using five seats the boot will hold 24 shopping bags. That is comparable to the Kia EV9 which holds 19, the Hyundai Palisade which holds 21 and the Hyundai Staria which also holds 24.
When using two rows of seats, the Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid boot with 16 shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 16 shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 12 shopping bags.
The Thule Urban Glide 3 single is the ultimate all-terrain running stroller…
… with the back wheels on, fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 14 shopping bags.
… with the back wheels on, it will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 14 shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 20 shopping bags.
The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid boot can also accommodate two 90L, two 70L and two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
When using five seats, the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid's boot can accommodate a large dog.
The boot space is very practical for family camping trips as well.
When using all three rows of seats in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid, the boot is really deep and dips right down like a trough. It will hold 10 shopping bags, which is comparable to the Kia EV9, which will hold nine, the Hyundai Palisade, which will hold eight, and the Hyundai Staria, which will hold 16.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid when using all three rows of seats with five shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with two sibling seats…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid when using all three rows of seats with five shopping bags.
The Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat and bassinet beside it…
…will fit in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with one shopping bag when using all three rows of seats.
The Thule Urban Glide 3 single is the ultimate all-terrain running stroller…
… with the back wheels on, fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid with 3 shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
…fits in the boot of the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid when using all three rows of seats standing up!
Or folded down with six shopping bags.
Also the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid boot can also accommodate two 90L and two 70L Thule Chasm duffle bags.
Or you can fit a small or medium size dog in the boot of the Kia Carnival.
How good is storage in the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid?
There is ample family storage in front of the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Petrol Hybrid.
The central console has two practical-size cup holders that will hold a reusable or disposable coffee cup. In front of them are two phone charging trays. There are also USB-C sockets and a 12V outlet for charging.
The central console box is a practical size for family use.
The large glove box will easily hold a wallet and iPad with the manual.
The front door bins are large and hold a refillable water bottle, iPad, and wallet. There are also storage wells in the door handles.
The second-row passengers have so much storage in the back! In the back of the central console box, there are two cup holders and a slot between them for a phone. There is also a 12V socket here.
… and on the side of the front seats are USB-C sockets for rear passengers to charge their devices.
There is a bottle holder in the rear doors, and the central seat back folds down to create a table. It also has two cup holders that will hold a reusable or disposable coffee cup, and a kids' drink cup fits in them. There are also two phone storage slots between them.
On the back of both front seats are double map pockets that will hold an iPad but not conceal it, as well as a bag hook.
Third-row passengers have double cup holders on both sides, each holding a reusable or disposable coffee cup or drink bottle and a phone holder. There are also USB-C sockets for charging devices.
BabyDrive Indepth - Noise
How noisy is the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid, and how easy is the media screen to use?
The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid is not a particularly noisy car to drive.
The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid has a new 12.3-inch media screen and 12.3-inch driver display that wrap around the driver's side of the dash.
The media system has the new minimal system, as seen in the Kia Sorento and Kia EV9, with the introduction of Valet Mode, voice commands, weather, SOS button, and stolen vehicle assistance, to name a few. You can customise the arrangement of the icons in the media system so the ones you use most regularly are easy to access when driving.
You have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can easily access your phone's navigation, listening and messaging apps etc while driving.
The reversing cameras are excellent in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid, with multiple views to choose from…
… and a digital rearview mirror, too.
The 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid's indicator sound is not too loud, so it did not disturb my kids while they were sleeping in the back.
The windows and doors in the Carnival are not too loud or noisy to open and close, and they do not baby-wake! The boot opens and closes with a small beeping sound that isn't too intrusive and the sliding doors open and close quite quietly too.
Becoming a parent I soon realised there are some noises and sounds I feel are unnecessary and I could happily live without if it meant my baby stayed asleep!!
That often the distraction of my screaming, distressed baby is more dangerous when driving than not having a lane departure warning for example.
If it is the lane departure warning beeping that creates distress with my baby then which is safest?
It’s where I think we need to be able to strike a balance and choose when we can mute the warnings or swap them to a vibration in the steering wheel or flashing light perhaps?
A lot of these noises come with the increase in technology and especially linked to safety features and alerts. For me these all have their place.
Another thing I have realised is I spend my time in a lot more places where small children roam, parks, beaches, play gyms, swimming lessons, daycare centre etc. I have become more aware that when I’m reversing or manouvering in the car parks I have to tripple check for small children running around behind me or being in my blind spot when reversing. For this I LOVE reversing cameras, I just don’t like their beeping sounds!!
I have become so much more aware of safety and potential accidents or hazards since having a child and so I love the peace of mind that I get from the cameras and sensors combined with my own vision from windows and mirrors as I don’t trust cameras alone.
The Hybrid Carnival is a quiet and smooth drive, and there are no real baby-waking noises. When the hybrid motor switches over to the engine, it is not a startling transition. It does so smoothly.
BabyDrive Indepth - Car Seats
How many child/baby seats can you fit in the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid?
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid, there are ISOFix points in both outer second-row seats. They are not within plastic guides but easy to connect to.
All three second-row seatbacks have top tether anchorages right down at the bottom. These anchorages are clearly labelled but not within plastic guides and are easily located through the boot or by bringing the seats forward. You may need an extension strap for rear-facing child seats to reach the anchorages.
Three child seats fit well across the second row of the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid. Combinations of forward-facing and rear-facing child seats also fit well.
In the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid, both outer third-row seats have ISOFix. They are not within plastic guides but easy to connect.
There are top tether anchorages on the back of both third-row seats, down at the bottom, not within plastic guides, but they are clearly labelled and easy to connect to. There are lots of bag hooks and handles on the back of the third-row seats, so you have to look below those to the top tether anchorages!
Two child seats fit comfortably in the outer third-row seats, and I could fit between them.
Accessing the third-row seats is good in the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid. The second-row seats are all individual seats, so many families remove the central second-row seat and create a walk-through to the third-row.
As shown in this 2021 previous model Kia Carnival
Or you can move one of the outer second-row seats forward, giving you a little space to climb through to the third row.
The Kia Carnival has very good legroom. The second-row seats are all individual, so you can slide them backwards and forwards to distribute the space however your family needs to.
The footwells are flat throughout the 2025 Kia Carnival 1.6-litre Hybrid, providing great legroom for all rear passengers and allowing everyone to get to and from their seats more easily and have good kick room.
With a forward-facing child seat in the third row and a rear-facing infant capsule in the second row, we could fit a 180cm driver in front.
Legroom can also be adapted by the driver bringing the front passenger seat forward or backward and changing the recline using the controls on the driver's side. These are particularly helpful when kids are getting in and out at pick-up and drop-off time from the kerb side of the vehicle and also when you have an elderly relative in the front passenger seat. Or your kids have great fun fiddling with them from the back while you are sitting in the ‘Ejector seat!'
BabyDrive Indepth - Drive & Comfort
How comfortable is the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid?
All rear passengers are kept comfortable with air conditioning vents in the ceiling in both rear rows…
…that you can control from the front dash and media screen climate controls.
Both rows of rear passengers also have built-in window blinds in the top-spec GT-Line 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid. These keep little passengers shaded from the sun while driving and save you from having to buy aftermarket versions.
There are lights in the ceiling for both rows of rear passengers and a handle above the rear doors so you can hang a toy from them for little rear-facing passengers to keep them entertained on long journeys.
The second-row seats are comfortable for passengers not in child seats, with good legroom and a flat floor.
The third-row seats are also comfortable for teen and adult passengers and have good head and legroom.
The upholstery in this top-spec 2025 Carnival GT-Line Hybrid is grey pleather with perforated central panels and beige door panels and ceiling. I like the combination of the two colours because the grey on the seat parts will hopefully not show the marks and dirt of family life as quickly as all cream leather does. However, the beige door panels and ceiling give brightness to the interior. The front seats are equally as comfortable as the rear seats in the Kia Carnival Hybrid.
There are four air-conditioning vents across the front of the dashboard, two below the media screen and one at each end of the dashboard.
Visibility in the 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid is impressive, even with five child seats onboard! The rear windscreen allows you to see a surprising amount.
Excellent rear-viewing cameras in the Kia Carnival really help with visibility. There is also a 360-degree exterior camera, which makes manoeuvring and parking easier.
One thing I have noticed since being a mum is I hate it when I reach a destination or get home from being out and Bub has either done really well in the car or she is screaming her head off and I have done really well to keep it together for the entire journey (usually the latter!!) and it takes 10 minutes to park the car! It can be really stressful. Usually, I dread parking in our tight apartment block carpark, but the Kia Carnival is easy to reverse park!
The Kia Carnival also has a digital rear-view mirror, allowing you to see out of the back if you can't see past your child seats.
BabyDrive Indepth - Safety
How safe is the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid?
The petrol and diesel variant Kia Carnivals, on sale from Jan 2021 onwards, have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 90% for adult occupancy and 88% for child occupancy in crash testing. However this Hybrid variant has not been assessed and is unrated.
Of the child occupancy testing for the petrol and diesel variants, ANCAP wrote:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD for all critical body regions and maximum points were scored.
The Kia Carnival is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages for all seating positions in the second row and outboard seats in the third row. Top tether anchorages and ISOFix anchorages are not available in the centre seating position in the third row. Installation of child restraints in the third row centre position is therefore not recommended.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated in most rear seating positions, however one of the selected Type A convertible seats could not be correctly installed in rearward-facing mode using the ISOfix anchorages in the outboard seats of the second and third rows. Care is also required when installing one of the forward-facing convertible seat using the ISOfix anchorages in the third row positions.
Seven airbags are standard on all models built before February 2024. All Kia Carnivals built after February 2024 have eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side head-protecting airbags (first, second & third rows), and side chest-protecting airbags (first row), and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is standard after Feb 2024.
Some of these safety features are also features that drive me crazy as a mum! Like the lane departure and forward collision alert or the parking sensor beeping sound. I want all the safety technology AND to be able to mute the sound when Bub’s asleep!
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About Tace Clifford
Tace Clifford founded BabyDrive in 2017 after discovering a huge information gap in mainstream car reviews that left new parents and expanding families in the dark when it came to one of the biggest purchasing decisions of their lives.
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