Kia Confirms the K5 and Carnival Will Receive Updates Later this Year

• Both models will receive mid-cycle refreshes in line with those applied to other models in the lineup.

• Rumours say the K5 could be discontinued later in the decade, making the upcoming refresh its last one ever.

• The Carnival minivan could receive a hybrid powertrain as part of this makeover.

Kia has now confirmed rumours that hinted at an upcoming refresh for both the K5 sedan and the Carnival minivan.

According to information found in a press release about August sales figures, the updated models will arrive on the market later this year for the 2024 model year.

While detailed information is sparse, we can get an idea of what to expect by looking at other Kia models that have recently been updated, such as the Telluride and Seltos.

Like these two SUVs and many newer Kia vehicles such as the EV6, it is very likely that the K5 and the Carnival will receive a new dashboard that will integrate the driver information screen and the infotainment screen in a single curved panel located in the driver’s line of sight.

Other likely changes include a new front end as well as updated safety and infotainment technologies, such as the addition of the brand’s new Digital Key feature that allows the driver’s phone to replace the traditional key fob.

Since many believe the Kia K5 will be discontinued somewhere in 2027 or 2028, this means that the upcoming refresh will likely be the last for this model that was launched in 2021 to replace the Optima.

This outcome is not surprising considering that mid-size sedans have been losing in popularity for many years now, forcing more and more automakers to abandon the segment.

Speaking of popularity, the sedan’s decline hasn’t stopped Kia from posting sales increases of 7.8% in its home market and 8.9% globally, where it sold 354,275 and 2,092,200 vehicles respectively last month.

In the case of the Carnival minivan, changes could also include a new hybrid powertrain to replace the current V6 engine, although this hasn’t been confirmed by the automaker.

From the outside, the minivan could also receive updates that will aim to give it a more robust appearance, in line with the brand’s SUVs, which the Carnival has always tried to emulate.

Since both models are expected to be launched by the end of 2023, more details should be available soon on the changes that will greet the 2024 K5 and Carnival.

Source: Motor1.com