Kia Carnival is preparing to return with ‘extensive’ changes to the interior, exterior and transmission

In June 2020, Kia Carnival officially entered the fourth generation and immediately made a strong impression on global enthusiasts. The modern and impressive design stands out from most MPVs available, making this model attract many new customers.

In late 2023 or early 2024, the mid-life facelift version of the Kia Carnival promises to be launched to maintain its positioning and compete against new competitors. A series of test versions of the Kia Carnival facelift have surfaced in Korea, with the most recent being by YouTube channel Shorts Car.

The reveal of the new MPV model reveals several notable changes to both the interior and exterior design. The car’s design can be immediately distinguished from existing versions on the market thanks to the front light design.

This light cluster now looks similar to the Sorento, with horizontal LED daytime running lights running down the bonnet edge, and vertical LED lights (now refreshed) on either side of the radiator. The main headlight interface is also now vertical.

There are no changes to the sides and overall shape of the car of the 2025 Kia Carnival, while at the rear of the car, the taillights have been changed to synchronize with the front lights.

The interior of the test version of the MPV model is covered in canvas, but the center console area has been left exposed to reveal the new interface. The small touch screen interface here to control the air conditioner is like many new Kia models like the Sorento 2023. The gear shift knob is visible in this area next to the electronic handbrake.

The powertrain of the Kia Carnival facelift is expected to be complemented with a hybrid version. The configuration chosen may be taken from the Sorento as both the regular hybrid (227 horsepower) and plug-in hybrid (261 horsepower) in this model use the same 1.6L engine.