2025 Kia Carnival facelift: Australian pricing confirmed, up to $5390 dearer

Prices for the facelifted 2025 Kia Carnival people mover have been confirmed ahead of its Australian launch.

According to industry data site Redbook, the latest Carnival – designated as a model-year 2025 vehicle – will be between $2670 and $5390 dearer than the pre-facelift version when it arrives in local showrooms next month.

As detailed in late 2023, revisions are set to include an updated exterior design similar to the latest Sorento, Picanto and EV9, new alloy wheel designs, improved ride comfort, more active safety systems, and a front-centre airbag to help prevent head clashes in serious side-impact collisions.

5

Inside, the Carnival has a new-look dashboard with a curved display panel featuring Kia’s latest ‘ccNC’ infotainment system with support for wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and over-the-air software updates.

It also has a switchable climate/audio touch panel like the EV6, Niro and Sportage, and configurable ambient lighting that extends from the dashboard into the door panels.

Preliminary specifications confirm the entry-level Carnival S now features an eight-speaker audio system (up from six), front parking sensors, rear occupant alert, trailer sway control, and a “full digital instrument cluster”.

5

Base versions of the facelifted Carnival will likely feature a 4.2-inch multi-information display with digital gauges, while top-of-the-range models should upgrade to a full-digital 12.3-inch unit – unless Kia has decided to make the latter feature standard across the line-up.

This is an improvement over the pre-facelift Carnival, which featured a 4.2-inch display and analogue gauges across the Australian line-up despite the availability of a 12.3-inch unit overseas.

All other Carnival variants have been renamed to reflect most other Kia vehicles sold in Australia, with the mid-spec Sport and Sport+ replacing the Si and SLi, respectively.

The initial specifications state the Carnival Sport will include partial leather upholstery over the Si’s cloth, while the Sport+ will feature rain-sensing wipers, a digital rear-view mirror and side parking sensors.

A flagship GT-Line will replace the Platinum, while a ‘GT-Line Lite’ variant will slot between the Sport+ and GT-Line to replace the Special Edition, which was introduced in 2023 without certain supply-constrained features to reduce wait times for customers waiting for the range-topping Platinum.

It is unclear if the GT-Line Lite will have different specifications to the Special Edition.

5

Missing features in the Special Edition compared to the range-topping Carnival included a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a power-adjustable passenger seat, less electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, an auto up/down window for the driver’s side only (instead of for all four windows), ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The GT-Line is expected to add remote smart parking assist and a head-up display over the previous Platinum.

Some variants are also expected to receive a blind-spot view monitor and Kia Connect smartphone functionality.

A new colour across the Carnival line-up is ceramic grey, which replaces ceramic silver and silky silver.

Full Australian details for the 2025 Kia Carnival – including detailed specifications – are due to be confirmed closer to its launch in May.

Earlier this year, Kia’s local arm confirmed a 183kW/367Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrain will follow the petrol and diesel variants later this year, becoming the first electrified people mover sold in Australia with a price tag below $100,000.

5

2025 Kia Carnival pricing