2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid vs 2027 Chevrolet Bolt

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid presented a bold new look, with a front fascia reminiscent of the refreshed 2025 Kia Sorento. The design aimed for a tougher, more SUV-like appearance, featuring a larger grille and distinctive daytime running lights that extended onto the hood. Despite these changes, the Carnival Hybrid retained its van-like silhouette, which some found less appealing than its predecessor. The rear end was tidied up with a relocated license plate housing and an optional skid plate trim piece, enhancing the SUV theme. The top SX Prestige trim boasted "Star Map" taillights, adding a touch of elegance.

Inside, the Carnival Hybrid maintained the interior design from the 2024 model, which was praised for its premium feel, especially in the SX Prestige trim. The navy and gray color scheme, combined with high-quality materials and a unique cross-hatch pattern on the Bose speaker grilles, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The cabin was largely free of shiny plastic, reducing glare and fingerprints, which contributed to a more refined driving experience.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with only slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt continued to straddle the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, offering a single body style for 2027. Its tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance, with the RS model adding gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair.

The interior of the Bolt underwent a more significant makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up space in the center console. Despite the abundance of hard plastic surfaces, the Bolt's cabin offered adequate comfort with padded elbow touch points. The RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area remained basic with hard plastics and minimal padding.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid shared its powertrain with the Kia Sorento Hybrid, featuring a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered a total system output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While the non-hybrid Carnival's V6 offered more horsepower at 287, the hybrid's torque was slightly higher. Both versions were front-wheel drive, with the hybrid providing a similar driving experience to the V6 model, albeit with a less-linear power delivery. The electric motor's torque was noticeable off the line, but acceleration dipped before the turbocharger boost kicked in. The Carnival Hybrid's regenerative braking system offered three levels of regeneration, allowing for efficient battery recharging on long descents.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. Its motor, sourced from the Chevy Equinox EV, produced 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Bolt from 0 to 60 mph in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest by EV standards, the Bolt's acceleration was impressive compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with medium and high levels of brake regeneration. The Bolt's ride was firm but not overly stiff, and its low center of gravity contributed to agile handling on curvy roads. The 2027 Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles, a 15-mile improvement over its predecessor, and featured a Tesla-derived NACS charge port for faster charging.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid offered eight-passenger seating with sliding and removable second-row seats, and fold-flat third-row seats. Optional VIP Lounge Seats provided a luxurious experience with reclining captain's chairs, but their lack of removability made third-row access challenging. The Carnival Hybrid's interior dimensions matched the non-hybrid version, offering competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows. Cargo space was generous, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 145.1 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The hybrid model featured a rotary shifter and retained a functional center console and dashboard layout, with easy-to-reach controls and a user-friendly touchscreen.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel, but the rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and the release latches were easily accessible from the cargo area. While the Bolt lacked a frunk, it offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system was easy to navigate, but the switchgear's changing functions could be confusing. SX and SX Prestige models included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and over-the-air updates. A voice-recognition system was available, but not activated by default. The hybrid also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports in all three rows, and optional tech features like an 11-inch head-up display, digital key functionality, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, but some Android Auto features were integrated into the system. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped drivers find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source for a home.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid's updated safety ratings were unavailable at the time of publication, but the 2024 model received mixed crash-test ratings from the IIHS and was not rated by the NHTSA. 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 for highway lane following. A 360-degree camera system and blind-spot camera system were also standard on these trims.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not yet published, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors with active steering assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and rear-pedestrian alert. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs to offer such advanced technology.