Which 2025 Kia Carnival trim should you buy?
$36,800 to $52,900. What each step up the ladder costs and what becomes standard for the money, cheapest first, from Kia's own press kit — so you can see where the price goes before a dealer walks you up it.
Most standard equipment per dollar: LXS FWD → EX FWD, +$2,200 for 30 features made standard.
Thinnest step: SX Hybrid FWD → SX Prestige Hybrid FWD, +$5,000 for no added standard equipment in the press kit — the difference is in the specs below.
LXS $38,800
+$2,000 over the LX FWD.
Standard here, not on the LX FWD: 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition and integrated modem, Acoustic glass (Front Doors), Auto Cruise Control, Floor console media port with 1 USB port, LED fog lamps, Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R)
Seats 7 → 8
LXS Hybrid $40,800
+$2,000 over the LXS FWD. No added standard equipment listed in the press kit.
HP 287.1 hp → 241.7 hp · Torque 260.4 lb-ft → 270.5 lb-ft · MPG comb 21 mpg → 33 mpg
EX $41,000
+$2,200 over the LXS FWD.
Standard here, not on the LXS FWD: 1.6L 4-cylinder Turbocharged (GDI) Hybrid, 19-inch Alloy wheels, 2nd and 3rd row sunshade blinds, 6-speed automatic transmission with H-Matic Shifting, 8-passenger seating, 8-speakers (including tweeters and rear surround), 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with 4-way power lumbar support, 8-way power adjustable passenger seat with power switch for Driver to adjust front passenger seat, Artificial leather seat trim, Black high gloss door garnish, Cabin camera (displays video feed of 2nd and 3rd-row occupants in center display), Cabin intercom (projects voice of front seat occupants through rear speakers), Day/night interior rear view mirror, Electric folding outside mirrors and 16 more
Wheels 17 in → 19 in
EX Hybrid $43,000
+$2,200 over the LXS Hybrid FWD. No added standard equipment listed in the press kit.
Wheels 17 in → 19 in
SX $45,900
+$4,900 over the EX FWD.
Standard here, not on the EX FWD: 115V inverter, 12.3-inch TFT LCD panoramic center display with meter cluster, 4.2-inch TFT LCD supervision meter cluster, Acoustic glass (Front Doors), Black with satin chrome side sill garnish, Black-painted & Matte chrome radiator grille (horizontal design pattern), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Dual Power Tilting and Sliding Sunroof, Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) - Car / Pedestrian / Cyclist (Fusion-type with Sensor), Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) w/F+ Package - Car / Pedestrian / Cyclist, FCA-JX (Forward Collision Avoidance-Junction Crossing) & FCA-LO (Lane Overlap), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Illuminated glove box, LED cargo lamp and 14 more
SX Hybrid $47,900
+$4,900 over the EX Hybrid FWD. No added standard equipment listed in the press kit.
SX Prestige $50,900
+$5,000 over the SX FWD.
Standard here, not on the SX FWD: 19-inch Alloy wheels with black Dark Edition design, Bose 12-speaker premium audio system with external amplifier and sub-woofer, Dark Edition C-pillar garnish, Dark Edition roof rails, Dark Edition side sill garnish, Dark Edition tailgate garnish, Dark Edition trim on Radiator Grille, Dark Edition trim on skid plates, Digital rearview mirror, Dual LED headlights with High and Low projection, Heated steering wheel, LED fog lamps, LED rear combination lamps, Pure leather seat trim
SX Prestige Hybrid $52,900
+$5,000 over the SX Hybrid FWD. No added standard equipment listed in the press kit.
Each trim is measured against the nearest cheaper trim with the same drivetrain and powertrain, so a step shows equipment rather than the price of all-wheel drive. "Standard here" means the press kit lists it as standard on this trim and not as standard on the one below — it may have been an option there. MSRP excludes destination. Confirm a specific car against its window sticker.
Compare two trims side by side → Back to the 2025 Kia Carnival
Common questions about the 2025 Kia Carnival trims
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich 2025 Kia Carnival trim is the best value?
On standard equipment per dollar, the step from the LXS FWD to the EX FWD: $2,200 more for 30 features the press kit lists as standard on the EX FWD and not on the LXS FWD. Whether those features are worth it to you is the real answer — the list is on this page.
How much do the 2025 Kia Carnival trims cost?
9 trims, from $36,800 for the LX FWD to $52,900 for the SX Prestige Hybrid FWD. Manufacturer MSRP, excluding destination, options, taxes and dealer fees.