Kia Unveils Updates for 2025 Carnival and K5

Kia introduced the updated Carnival minivan for the 2025 model year, which looks more like an SUV due to its massive facade, and the K5 sedan, which was also updated for the 2025 model year.

Kia Carnival 2025

The 2025 Kia Carnival's updates are extensive. It's impossible not to notice the square face that now wears Kia's large rectangular grille flanked by cube headlights and LED running lights branded as “Star Map”. The façade has a chiselled, upright design, giving the van the appearance of an SUV. New taillights and a slightly redesigned rear fascia add muscularity, especially when an additional skid plate is added to the rear of the Carnival. It's only when your eyes focus on the side that you see the sliding side doors, reminding you that this is, in fact, a front-wheel drive minivan.

That's not bad either. The cabin offers generous 4,109 liters of cargo space (excluding the second and third rows). Leave them in place and passengers can enjoy luxurious second-row seating with reclining seats and footrests. All passengers can take advantage of the optional Connected Car Rear Cockpit entertainment package, which includes multiple 14.6-inch HD monitors in the cabin.

Meanwhile, up front there's a new dashboard and center console that, while similar in design to the previous Carnival, packs more technology inside. We saw a mockup back in December that featured fewer tactile buttons and a rotary dial instead of the old-fashioned paddle shifter. Kia's connected car navigation panel works with things like reducing processing time, adding frequently used functions to an easy-to-access screen, Digital Key 2, which allows smart devices like phones to act as keys, and over-the-air updates.

Under the hood, a new hybrid powertrain option is available. It combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a 54-kW engine, generating a combined 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It's connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, but it's worth noting that this isn't a plug-in hybrid setup, so there's no electric-only range. For those who prefer their Carnival without electrification, the familiar 3.5-liter V6 is still available. However, power drops slightly to 287 hp. and torque of 260 Nm.

Kia K5 2025

Kia hasn't given up on sedans. The Carnival is joined by the updated 2025 K5, although the changes here are less dramatic. The new front fascia retains the familiar grille shape but adds larger corner vents. The headlights are also updated, including the aforementioned "Star Map" LED running light line that looks like the lightning bolts on the K5's fenders. New taillights continue this theme, as well as a redesigned lower rear fascia and a new trunk with a standard integrated spoiler.

The K5's cabin features a new cluster of controls under the center air vents. Kia offers a little more standard equipment on some trims, especially the EX, which has an upgraded Bose stereo, a 10-way power driver's seat, a heated steering wheel and a digital key system.

The K5's biggest news is what you don't see, namely the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that replaces the 1.6-liter turbo in non-GT models. Power rises to 191 hp, which is a modest increase over the previous K5. The GT is still a bit throaty with its 2.5-liter turbocharged engine making 290 hp.

Both vehicles debuted at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show on February 10th. Pricing for the 2025 Carnival and K5 will be announced closer to their on-sale date, which is expected later this year.