2025 Kia Carnival
The facelifted Kia Carnival has new lighting markings with multiple LEDs on each side of a different grille. The styling here seems inspired by the EV9, which will be released later this month.
The fourth-generation Kia Carnival was originally introduced in 2020 and is widely considered a sleek-looking minivan.
2025 Kia Carnival
However, the automaker plans to change its styling as part of an upcoming lifecycle update, keeping it in line with its current and future lineups.
The proportions of the box, sliding rear doors, roof rails, and side mirrors were retained; at the rear, it had new taillights.
Unless we’re talking about a Y-shaped unit similar to the upcoming flagship electric crossover, L-shaped units replace the current iteration’s horizontal ones, linked together via LED strips interrupted by the company’s emblem.
The rear door is new, and the license plate holder is moved further down. The false cladding makes it impossible to see the proportions of the rear windshield and the shape of the spoiler installed on it.
A heavily camouflaged Carnival prototype is being tested on icy streets in Sweden, showing EV9-inspired LED headlights and taillights. This isn’t the only update expected, as the addition of a hybrid variant is also rumored.
Rumor has it that Kia’s upcoming Carnival might get some revisions under the skin and the hood, especially by adopting a hybrid powertrain.
While doable, as it is mechanically associated with the Sorento, among others, and its high-riding siblings available with charging and plug-in hybrid assemblies, the partially electrified type of Carnival sounds like a long stretch for now.
On the other hand, it will target different clients with its cleaner nature and short zero-emission range, so it will probably go this route.
Minivans remain recognizable by their proportions, greenhouses, blackened a-pillars, sliding doors, and roof rails, but the front and rear ends will be extensively redesigned.
Up front, it will get vertically arranged LED headlights and a new grille, giving it an SUV-like look, despite the relatively short hood.
At the rear, Kia designers replaced the sleek taillights with a boomerang-shaped unit while retaining the large, practical rear doors. We also saw the digital cockpit, but the rest of the dashboard was covered.
The Carnival is closely related to the Sorento, which also gets a similar facelift next year. Our story suggests that all Kia models will likely adopt the new design language that will feature in the fully electric EV9 flagship SUV, which is expected to premiere soon.
2025 Kia Carnival Powertrain
Leaving aside the updated visuals, the Kia Carnival is rumored to be getting a hybrid option. Reports suggest that the electric powertrain will be sourced from the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, which use the same platform.
The Sorento Hybrid currently produces a combined 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS), while the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid produces 261 hp (195 kW / 265 PS).
Both models use a turbocharged 1.6-liter T-GDi engine combined with a single electric motor and batteries of different capacities.
2025 Kia Carnival Price
The 2023 Kia Carnival LX starts at $32,600, with an additional destination fee of $1,335. Other trim levels include the EX, starting at $38,100, the SX at $41,300, and the top-of-the-line SX Prestige at $45,700.
With all the options available, the fully loaded SX Prestige model comes at around $50,990, plus taxes and fees.
As for the 2025 Kia Carnival, we can expect some updates and improvements over the 2024 model, which could affect the price.
It’s important to watch for announcements from Kia regarding Carnival 2025 features, specs, and pricing as the release date approaches.
