Carnival and Telluride SUV named 2025 category winners by New England Motor Press Association

The 2025 Carnival MPV and 2025 Telluride SUV each received 2025 Winter Vehicle Awards from the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). This is the fourth time the Telluride has won a Winter Vehicle Award from the automotive media group, including three class wins for midsize SUV (2021, 2024, 2025) and an overall win for Winter SUV of the Year in 2020. This is the first class win in the minivan category for the Carnival.

The Carnival and Telluride were awarded for their all-around engineering excellence and durability in unpredictable New England climatic conditions by the journalist guild representing internet, radio, television, newspapers, and magazines from the New England region. The Telluride was named Best Midsize SUV by NEMPA, thanks to its sophisticated design and X-Pro capability.

“New England winters are the defining, real-world tests of vehicle durability, and the Carnival and Telluride each rise to the occasion as temperatures drop, and overdeliver as pacesetters in their respective segments,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America.

“In its sophomore year on the market for the standard powertrain and inaugural model year for the hybrid, the Kia Carnival has been named our NEMPA Official Winter Minivan of the Year,” said Clifford Atiyeh, President, New England Motor Press Association. “Its MPV format artfully blends the best attributes of a minivan and an SUV. Factor in its efficient hybrid available powertrain, and you have a capable and trusted family vehicle throughout the winter season.”

Designed for the U.S. market, the Telluride is a head-turning proposition, and the 2025 Telluride carries on this success with a rugged and refined appearance. “New Englanders have loved the Telluride since it came out six years ago,” Atiyeh said. “The helpful screens, three-row seating, ample cargo space, and the X-Pro model with the all-terrain tires, all ensure that the Telluride is a winter-ready midsize SUV with capability for all seasons.

The Carnival and Telluride earned their respective awards following year-round product testing by seasoned NEMPA members in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Following extensive testing, NEMPA members voted to determine the winners in each category.