2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid vs 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid underwent a significant design transformation, adopting a more rugged appearance reminiscent of the 2025 Kia Sorento midsize crossover SUV. The front fascia featured a larger grille, pushing the headlights aside to create a more SUV-like look. Daytime running lights extended from the corners of the front end onto the hood, adding a unique touch. Despite these changes, the Carnival Hybrid retained its van-like appearance, which some found less appealing than the pre-refresh version. The rear end was cleaned up by relocating the license plate housing to the lower tailgate, and the top SX Prestige trim level boasted standard "Star Map" taillights.

Inside, the Carnival Hybrid maintained the interior design from the 2024 model, which was a positive aspect. The SX Prestige hybrid's navy and gray interior exuded a premium feel, surpassing the top trims of competitor minivans. High-quality materials and thoughtful details, such as the cross-hatch pattern on the Bose audio system's speaker grilles, contributed to a pleasing cabin experience. The interior was mostly free of shiny plastic trim, reducing glare and fingerprints, while the overall layout remained functional and user-friendly.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer received a refresh four years into its lifecycle, retaining its upright stance, low belt line, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S, gave the vehicle a fresh and modern vibe. The Upland trim we tested featured well-integrated front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a modern interior with clean design and strong horizontal lines. While the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, though plain in appearance, were comfortable and highly adjustable, making long drives enjoyable.

The cabin's trim and material usage leaned towards premium, with solid metal gearshift dials and available Nappa and Palermo leather in upper trims. The Grand Wagoneer's fit and finish impressed, from the solid thwap of the doors to the sturdy armrest closure. Despite its large proportions, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin. The seats provided comfort for a wide range of passengers, even during extended drives.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a powertrain similar to the Kia Sorento Hybrid, combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor attached to a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered a total system output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the non-hybrid Carnival's 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both hybrid and non-hybrid models were front-wheel drive, with the Carnival Hybrid offering three levels of regenerative braking. The hybrid's acceleration felt similar to the V6 model, with noticeable electric motor torque off the line, although the turbo-four engine worked hard on steeper inclines.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in the 6,000-pound vehicle. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin. The seats provided comfort for a wide range of passengers, even during extended drives.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid offered eight-passenger seating with sliding and removable second-row seats, while fold-flat third-row seats were standard. Optional VIP Lounge Seats replaced the second-row bench with reclining captain's chairs, although they were not removable. The Carnival Hybrid's interior dimensions matched the non-hybrid model, with 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 145.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The interior featured a rotary shifter and retained a functional center console and dashboard layout.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provided ample leg and hip room across its three rows, with the optional bench seat in the second row allowing for eight-passenger seating. The third row comfortably accommodated three people of small to average stature. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, the long-wheelbase version nearly doubled this capacity to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Upland model featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. SX and SX Prestige models included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and over-the-air updates. The hybrid also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports in all three rows, and tech options like an 11-inch head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system's switchgear could be confusing, as it changed function depending on the selected menu.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. Higher trims offered features like a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, and a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system. While the tech generally worked well, the wireless phone charger overheated an iPhone 16 during testing. The 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size, and adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid's safety ratings were not updated at the time of publication, but the 2024 model received mixed crash-test ratings from the IIHS. The Carnival Hybrid retained its comprehensive array of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. SX and SX Prestige models added junction crossing and lane-change assist functions, as well as Highway Driving Assist 2 and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests. The surround-view camera system was highly recommended for navigating tight spaces.