Kia's big MPV is preparing for a complete makeover. Exclusive spy photos captured by @JHS show the first prototype of the all-new, fifth-generation Kia Carnival, internally codenamed KA5, parked in an underground garage in South Korea. Unlike the K5 sedan, which is getting a second facelift instead of a new generation (K5 second facelift), the Carnival will get a full model change, replacing the current fourth-generation model (KA4) revealed in August 2020 (fourth-generation Carnival revealed).
An Early Prototype Still Wearing The Current Design
The prototype is fully wrapped in camouflage, with small mesh windows over the lights. At this very early stage of testing, though, it is still a test mule that uses the body and lights of the current Carnival, including its vertical taillights. This is common in the early development of an all-new model: Kia uses the current bodywork to start testing the new platform and hardware underneath, and the new design will only appear on later prototypes.
The current design comes from the KA4's facelift, revealed in late 2023, which brought an EV9-inspired front end and vertical lights (first facelift revealed). As a new generation, the KA5 will bring a completely new exterior design, but we will have to wait for the next prototypes to see it.
20-Inch Wheels
The prototype rides on gloss black 20-inch wheels with a twisted multi-spoke design, wrapped in Hankook Dynapro HPX tires in size 245/50 R20. The tire date code (0526) shows they were made in early 2026, which confirms this is a recent test car.
The side mirrors, with integrated turn signals, are also carried over from the current model on this test mule.
Interior: A New Dashboard Is Coming
The most interesting photos come from inside. Because this prototype is still at a very early stage of testing, it keeps the current Carnival layout, with the two 12.3-inch screens under the camouflage. However, just like the K5, we expect to see the first prototypes with the new interior soon: a central screen of up to 17 inches running Pleos Connect, and a small instrument cluster behind the steering wheel rim, as we have already seen on the new K5 (K5 second facelift interior).
Looking forward from the back, the prototype has captain's chairs in the second row and a center console with cupholders between them, a layout Kia has recently been expanding across the Carnival range (2027 Carnival captain's chairs).
Powertrains
The all-new Carnival will get Hyundai Motor Group's new 1.6-liter Turbo Hybrid with the TMED-II system, the same next-generation hybrid that debuts on the all-new Tucson (Tucson Hybrid TMED-II). Besides better efficiency and refinement, TMED-II brings features usually reserved for electric vehicles, such as Stay Mode, which lets occupants use the climate control and infotainment for long periods without running the engine, and V2L (vehicle-to-load) to power external devices (Stay Mode explained).
That will be very good news for Korean buyers: the current Carnival Hybrid has been in such high demand that waiting times reached up to 20 months (Carnival Hybrid demand).
When Will It Launch?
This is the first prototype, so the launch is still some time away. As usual with Kia, the all-new Carnival will debut in South Korea first, and the rest of the world will follow later. Meanwhile, Kia keeps expanding the current model with versions such as the High Roof, the Hi-Limousine and the Black Edition (Carnival High Roof, Carnival Black Edition).
We will keep following the next-generation Kia Carnival KA5 as more prototypes appear.
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