The fourth-gen Kia Carnival was originally introduced in 2020 and is widely considered a sleek-looking minivan. However, the automaker plans the automaker plans to tweak its styling as part of the upcoming mid-lifecycle update, bringing it more in line with its current and future lineup.
Our spy photographers caught a heavily camouflaged prototype of the Carnival being tested on the ice-cold roads of Sweden, revealing its EV9-inspired LED headlights and taillights. These are not the only updates to expect, as the addition of a hybrid variant is also rumored.
The minivan remains recognizable from its proportions, greenhouse, blackened a-pillars, sliding doors, and roof rails, but the front and rear ends will be extensively redesigned. Up front, it will get vertically-stacked LED headlights and a new grille, giving it an SUV-like appearance, despite the relatively short hood. At the back, Kia designers replaced the slim taillights with boomerang-shaped units, while keeping the large, practical tailgate. We also get a glimpse of the digital cockpit but the rest of the dashboard was covered.
Read: 2025 Kia Sorento Facelift Hides Its EV9-Inspired Face
The Carnival is closely related to the Sorento, which is also getting a similar facelift next year. In fact, our scoop stories suggest that all Kia models are likely to adopt the new design language that will be featured in the fully electric EV9 SUV flagship, which is expected to premiere soon.
Setting aside the updated visuals, the Kia Carnival is rumored to be getting a hybrid option, with reports suggesting that the electrified powertrain will be sourced from the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, which ride on the same platform. The Sorento Hybrid currently produces a combined 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS), while the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid delivers 261 hp (195 kW / 265 PS). Both models use a turbocharged 1.6-liter T-GDi engine in combination with single electric motors and batteries of different capacities.
While it’s still too early to confirm the debut date of the updated Kia Carnival, based on the timing of its appearance in prototype form, it’s possible that the updated model will debut in 2024 for the 2025 model year.
