Kia Unveils 2025 Carnival Minivan with Fresh Design and 242-HP Hybrid Engine

2024 Chicago Auto Show to Feature K5 Sedan with Revamped Design and Upgraded Engine

The latest Kia Carnival has arrived and it boasts a bold new look for the 2025 model year, blurring the lines between a minivan and an SUV. However, the changes don’t just stop at its appearance. This can also be said for the K5 sedan, as it too sports a fresh new design for 2025.

The 2025 Kia Carnival has undergone extensive updates. One cannot help but notice the squared-off face, which now features Kia’s large rectangular grille flanked by cube headlights and the automaker’s “Star Map” LED running lights. This design exudes a chiseled and upright look, giving the van a more SUV-like appearance. The rear of the Carnival has also received some updates, including new taillights and a slightly revised fascia. The optional skid plate adds to the van’s beefy flavor, further emphasizing its rugged appeal. However, a quick glance at the side reveals the sliding side doors, serving as a reminder that this is, in fact, a front-wheel-drive minivan.

This is actually quite beneficial. The inside presents an ample 145.1 cubic feet of room for storing items when the second and third rows are removed. If the rows are kept in place, riders can indulge in lavish seating in the second row with reclining seats and footrests. Additionally, all occupants have access to the choice of installing the Connected Car Rear Cockpit entertainment suite, which includes several 14.6-inch high-definition screens throughout the cabin.

In the forefront, a fresh dash and center console have emerged, bearing a similar design to the previous Carnival model yet boasting enhanced technological features. This updated layout was previewed last December, revealing fewer physical buttons and replacing the traditional lever with a rotary shifter. Kia’s innovative Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operates with faster processing speeds and incorporates frequently used functions into a convenient screen. Additionally, Digital Key 2 permits the use of smart devices as keys, while also providing over-the-air updates.

Beneath the car’s bonnet, a freshly introduced hybrid powertrain can now be found. It combines a turbocharged 1.6-liter motor with a 54kW electric engine, producing a combined output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, but it’s important to note that this is not a plug-in hybrid system, so there is no purely electric option. For those who are not interested in a hybrid version, the familiar 3.5-liter V6 is still offered. However, there is a slight decrease in power to 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

Kia is still catering to the sedan market with the addition of the refreshed 2025 K5 alongside the Carnival. However, the modifications to the K5 are not as drastic as those seen on the Carnival. The front fascia boasts a familiar grille design, but now features larger corner vents. The headlights have also been revamped, showcasing the striking “Star Map” LED signature that resembles lightning bolts on the K5’s fenders. The theme continues with new taillights and a slightly modified lower rear fascia, while the trunk now comes equipped with an integrated spoiler as standard.

The interior of the K5 has been updated with a newly designed control panel located below the center climate vents. Kia has also added more standard features to certain models, such as the EX trim. This includes an upgraded Bose stereo, a 10-way power driver seat, a heated steering wheel, and the Digital Key system. However, the most significant change to the K5 is not visible to the eye – the non-GT models now come equipped with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine instead of the previous 1.6-liter turbo. This results in a modest increase in power to 191 hp. The GT model still maintains its powerful and dynamic character with the inclusion of a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, delivering 290 hp.

The 2024 Chicago Auto Show will mark the first appearance of both vehicles, with doors opening to the public on February 10. However, the official prices for the 2025 Carnival and K5 will not be disclosed until their anticipated release later in the year.