In one of the never-ending debates in the automotive world, you can put me in the camp of arguing that there is nothing uncool about a minivan.

Despite getting a bad rap over the years as soccer mom vehicles without a personality, nothing could be further from the truth. A minivan is as useful and versatile as any SUV you can name, and sometimes more so.

Sadly, there are only four real options remaining in the minivan category — including the one I tested, the Kia Carnival. The Carnival comes in both regular and hybrid versions, and I sampled both varieties of the Carnival.

After my time behind the wheel, I’m glad that Kia is sticking around in this segment, as they’ve delivered a standout performance that holds up well against all competitors — including the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica.

The arrival of the hybrid version for 2025 is a helpful addition for Kia, as Toyota’s offering is exclusively hybrid and Pacifica also offers a hybrid version.

Read on for a full account of what the Carnival has to offer to those who, like me, are standing against the haters and supporting the minivan as a solid vehicle option that is far from uncool.

There’s been a ton of buzz about the Kia Carnival since it hit the market, with many — including myself — considering it the best minivan available, surpassing such heavyweights as the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica.

But what’s all the fuss about?

I’ll break it down with 5 key facts you need to know about this headline-stealing new vehicle, which is a major upgrade from the previous Sedona minivan offered by Kia.