2025 KIA CARNIVAL ELEVATES MULTI PURPOSE APPEAL WITH HYBRID POWER, UPDATED DESIGN, AND NEXT GEN TECH

• Emphasis on Multi-Purpose: Refreshed Carnival MPV opens a new door of possibility with optional turbo-hybrid offering 242 horsepower
• Improved Fuel Economy: Carnival Hybrid is rated at an EPA estimated combined 33 MPG[1]
• Enhanced Presence: "Opposites United" design theme comes to life on the Carnival MPV, blending bold and grand exterior elements with a sleek and high-tech interior
• Teeming with next-gen tech: Kia's next-generation, ultramodern Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system and newly available Connected Car Rear Cockpit (ccRC) system elevate the experience for passengers from the first row to the third
• Connected Carnival: Over-the-Air[2] software updates and available ultrawide band-based Digital Key 2.0[3] propel Carnival into the digital age
• Always Evolving: Kia's latest developments in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems[4] (ADAS) include additional features, such as available Highway Driving Assist 2 first introduced in the award-winning EV6.

SAN DIEGO, Calif., September 30, 2024 - The refreshed 2025 Carnival Hybrid took to San Diego's scenic roads during its national press introduction today, with media exploring the vibrant city and its surrounding landscapes to discover the Carnival Hybrid's enhanced versatility and efficiency. With its striking SUV-inspired design and spacious van-level passenger and cargo capacity, the Carnival seamlessly blends style with practicality. Equipped with Kia's next-generation connected car technology, the Carnival embraces the digital age, prioritizing connectivity and convenience for modern family transportation.

"Our customers have told us how much they love their Carnival, and we're thrilled to expand on that enthusiasm," said Steve Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. "For those who are always on the go with friends, family, or gear, we're excited to offer the Carnival with a hybrid powertrain, designed to keep up with our customers' extra busy lifestyles."

The 2025 Carnival Hybrid is available in four trim levels (LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige), while the gas-powered variant is offered in five (LX, LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige).

Enhanced Presence

Embracing the distinctive "Opposites United" design language, the Carnival confidently embodies a modern and bold SUV-like appearance. Featuring a bold and sculptural grille, the chiseled front fascia is complemented by intricate and cube-like headlamps that are accentuated by Kia's signature amber-colored Star Map daytime running lights.

Around back, the Carnival is refined with smooth surfaces and clean lines, with the license plate housing repositioned to the lower part of the tailgate for a more polished appearance. Crisp contours of the Star Map taillights (standard on SX Prestige) add depth to the rear while 17- or 19-inch alloy wheel options (EX trims and above get standard 19-inch wheels) each showcase a distinctive array of geometric angles. Similar to other Kia models in the lineup, the 2025 gets a Dark Edition[5] with darkened exterior elements, including the roof rails[6], skid plates, C-Pillar garnish, side door garnish, tailgate garnish, exterior side mirror covers, front grille and wheels.

A Haven of Comfort and Convenience

Open the doors to find a futuristic yet comfortable space. Information and climate controls on the center fascia are minimalist by design, and the center console has large capacity dual cupholders to accommodate a large beverage.

Front and center, a curved panoramic dual-display features full digital instrumentation with an available 12.3-inch cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment display[7] elegantly integrated into one single panel for an ultramodern appeal (wide panel with 4.2-inch TFT and 12.3-inch screen is standard). An optional, full-color head-up display[8] projects information from the cluster and navigation onto the windshield, and the available Full Display Mirror[9] can switch to a camera view by simply flicking the lower tab. Six standard USB-C ports are conveniently located throughout the cabin, while two power outlets and two 115V inverters serve as additional power sources.

Say "Hey Kia!" and a multi-zone voice recognition feature recognizes key activations such as opening the windows or adjusting the climate control. For Carnivals equipped with the optional VIP Lounge Seat package, second-row passengers can activate their seat's relaxation mode, reclining the seatback[10] and deploying the leg extension with a single voice command.

The Carnival's cavernous and flexible interior space for 7- or 8- passengers maintains its best-in-class[11] 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row. "Slide-Flex" seating for 8-passenger versions (except those equipped with optional VIP Loung Seats) are equipped with a sliding second row center seat that gives front passengers easy access to a baby or child riding in it. Removable second-row seats and fold-in-floor third-row seats continue to be a Carnival staple (second row seats not removable in SX-Prestige).

A Connected Carnival

Striding into the future of in-car technology, the Carnival now offers Kia's next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system. This advanced system processes faster and in higher fidelity, with frequently used Quick Controls conveniently accessible with a swipe on the screen. Over-the-air updates[12] help the Carnival stay up to date.

Rear passengers are invited to enjoy Kia's newly available Connected Car Rear Cockpit (ccRC) Rear Entertainment System. Developed in-house, the available system with dual 14.6-inch monitors and full-HD resolution allows streaming from popular platforms, with the potential to add future content over-the-air over time. Passengers can connect their Bluetooth headsets and mirror from external devices with a HDMI port.

Available advanced ultrawideband-based Digital Key 2.0 allows customers to use their compatible smart devices or an NFC-enabled smart card as virtual vehicle keys to lock, unlock, and drive. This innovative technology allows the driver to unlock the Carnival without having to hold their smartphone. Furthermore, these keys can be shared with friends and family over text messages on compatible devices.

Enhancing Multi-Purpose with a New Hybrid Option

Strengthening its position as a multi-purpose vehicle, the 2025 Carnival Hybrid is newly available with a 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid engine paired with a 54kW motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission, with a combined output of 242 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of torque. With this setup, the Carnival Hybrid has a towing capacity of 2,500 lbs. and is rated at an EPA estimated 34 city, 31 highway, and 33 MPG combined¹.

Hybrid performance upgrades unique to the Carnival Hybrid include Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control (E-VMC), which kicks in with the flick of the paddle shift lever to adjust the amount of regenerative braking with a three-level deceleration control (in Eco/Smart mode). Other features exclusive to the Carnival Hybrid include E-Handling, designed to help improve vehicle responsiveness when entering and exiting a corner; E-Ride, which helps smooth over bumpy rides with specially tuned shocks; and E-Evasive Handling Assist, designed to help control the vehicle movement during emergency steering. Aerodynamic 17-inch wheels complete the hybrid treatment.

Performance in the gasoline-powered Carnival still comes from an available 3.5-liter V6 GDI engine that produces 287 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It boasts a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. and fuel economy is an EPA estimated MPG 18 city, 26 highway, and 21 MPG combined.¹

Advancements in ADAS:

The Carnival's suite of standard and available Advanced Driver Assistance Systems is updated with Kia's latest iterations. Central to the Carnival's advanced driver assist technology is standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist[13], designed to alert the driver if it detects a risk of collision with a car, pedestrian or cyclist in the front and can automatically assist with braking to help prevent collisions under certain conditions. The system now offers available Junction Crossing (FCA-JC); Lange-change Oncoming (FCA-LO); Lange-change Side (FCA-LS); and Evasive Steering Assist (FCA-ESA).

First introduced on the EV6, the Carnival is also available with Highway Driving Assist 29 (HDA 2) a driver convenience system that is designed to maintain a predetermined distance from the vehicle detected in front, keep the vehicle within detected lane markers on certain highways, and assist in lane changes under certain conditions.

Other available ADAS features include Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (N-SCC)[14], and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)[15].

Kia America - about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

*Certain 2025 EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV/PHEV), Sorento (excludes HEV/PHEV), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

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