Kia’s fourth-generation Carnival, which was introduced in 2020, is a minivan that looks sleek. The automaker has plans to update the styling of its mid-lifecycle update to bring it into line with the current and future models. Our spy photographers captured a prototype heavily camouflaged of the Carnival, being tested on the ice-cold roads of Sweden. The LED taillights and headlights were inspired by the EV9. Not only are these updates expected, but a hybrid version is also rumored.
The minivan will retain its familiar proportions and features such as the greenhouse, roof rails, and sliding doors. However, both the front and back ends of it will undergo a major redesign. It will have vertically-stacked headlights, and a new grille to give it an SUV look, despite its relatively short hood. Kia designers have replaced the thin taillights at the rear with boomerang-shaped units while maintaining the large and practical tailgate. The digital cockpit is also visible, but the rest was covered.
2025 Kia Carnival Redesign
The 2025 Carnival minivan is indeed a good one. The interior is well-built and offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. The Carnival is a smooth rider and has a powerful engine that can handle most driving conditions. The Kia Carnival is packed with driver-assistance technology. There are a few flaws with the Carnival. The infotainment has some usability problems, and the second-row lounge seat option reduces the maximum cargo space of the vehicle.
Interior
The interior of the 2025 Kia Carnival has a modern, spacious feel with high-quality materials. The higher-end trims are luxurious with their rich leather upholstery and fancy amenities such as second-row legrests. The glossy black plastic that is used throughout the cabin tends to attract dirt and smudges.
Carnival’s information system is mostly reliable. Both touch screens offer sharp graphics and an easy-to-use menu interface. It is a little shaky when it comes down to the controls. The system relies too heavily on capacitive touch buttons for functions that are frequently used, like air conditioning. They can be distracting when used while driving. The voice recognition function is not as good as in other vehicles.
Standard infotainment: 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and voice recognition, six speakers, seven USB ports, and Bluetooth. Infotainment options include a 12.3″ touch screen, navigation system, Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, and HD Radio. Other features include satellite radio, audio systems with 8 or 12 speakers, USB ports, and rear-seat entertainment systems.
Other standard features include dual-zone automatic climate controls, remote keyless entry, and push-button starters. Other features include a 12.3″ digital gauge cluster with a tri-zone climate control system, ambient LED interior lights, two 120V household power outlets, auto-dimming mirrors, a universal garage opener, a vehicle intercom, a rear-view camera, and dual sunroofs.
Cargo Space
There’s enough cargo space in the Carnival to meet most families needs. The Carnival has 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 86.9 cubes behind the second-row seats, and 145.1 cubes with the second-row folded. The low liftover height of the cargo area makes it easy to load and unload items. And the third row can be folded flat into the floor. The third-row bench seat can be moved forward or backward independently. This gives you more flexibility. The seats can be completely removed.
One notable drawback is that the second-row lounge chairs, which are optional in the SX Prestige model, cannot be removed or folded. The optional second-row lounge seats in the SX Prestige can’t fold or be removed. The Carnival’s cargo capacity is greatly reduced and the third-row seats are not accessible. This could be a deal breaker for those who have to transport many children, particularly in child safety seats.
Engine
The Carnival and Sorento are closely related. Both will be getting similar updates next year. Our scoop stories indicate that all Kia vehicles are likely to adopt the same design language as the fully-electric EV9 SUV, which will debut soon. The Kia Carnival will reportedly get a hybrid powertrain.
According to reports, it is likely that the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe which share the same platform, will provide the electric motor. The Sorento Hybrid produces 227 hp (227 kW/230 PS) while the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is capable of 261 hp (195 kW/265 PS). Both models are powered by a turbocharged 1.6 liter T-GDi in conjunction with single electric motors, and batteries of varying capacities. It’s too early to confirm a date for the new Kia Carnival’s debut, but based on its prototype’s appearance, it may debut as early as 2024, in time for the model year 2025.
Kia Carnival will reportedly get a hybrid version, despite the new visuals. The electric powertrain is said to be taken from the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe which share the same platform. The Sorento Hybrid is currently producing a combined power of 227 hp / 169 kW/230 PS, while the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is producing 261 hp / 195 kW/ 265PS. Both models are powered by a turbocharged 1.6 liter T-GDi combined with a single motor and batteries in different capacities.
2025 Kia Carnival Pricing
Kia Carnival LX starts at 32,600 dollars, plus a destination fee of 1,335. The EX starts at $38,100. The SX is $41,300. And the SX Prestige, at $45,700. The fully-loaded SX Prestige model costs around $50,990 plus taxes and fees. The price of the 2025 Kia Carnival could be affected by the updates and improvements made over the model from 2024. As the release date nears, it’s important to keep an eye out for any announcements by Kia about Carnival 2025 specs, features, and pricing.