The latest Kia Carnival may have only touched down in America last year. Still, the Korean automaker is already working on a mid-cycle refresh for the popular minivan.

Spy shots uncovered by Korean Car Blog show us what we can expect from the refreshed Carnival, and the family-friendly vehicle will borrow design cues from the striking Kia EV9 concept. Already a handsome car, the minivan will adopt the concept electric SUV's blunt front end and upside-down L-shaped headlights.

Due to the camouflage, it isn't easy to see whether the lights are connected via a fashionable light bar, but we anticipate the facelifted Carnival will sport this setup.

An intricately designed mesh grille - as seen on the all-new Kia Niro - is also set to make an appearance. Based on the fact that the side and rear of the vehicle have also been disguised, it's safe to assume the rest of the car will also benefit from aesthetic tweaks.

Kia is working hard to align itself with the electric future and already offers the Niro mentioned above (available as a hybrid, PHEV, and EV) and the EV6 model lines. According to the publication, the EV9 will enter production in 2023 at the company's Sohari Plant, where the Carnival Hybrid will also be manufactured.

The electrified Carnival is expected to utilize the Sorento's 1.6-liter hybrid setup. If that's the case, expect a total output of 227 horsepower. Hopefully, a plug-in hybrid derivative will also join the range. You can expect a fully electric model to debut at a later date.

The EV9, which will serve as Kia's range-topping electric vehicle, is expected to hit European markets in late 2023 and challenge the likes of Range Rover. That sounds like a tall order, but the Korean automaker has been punching above its weight for quite some time.

The tech-laden SUV will boast many amenities and plenty of luxury, along with a targeted 0 to 60 mph sprint of five seconds flat. Kia India recently gave us our best look yet at the production-ready EV9, suggesting that. It seems that a reveal is imminent.

Sadly, this bold move into electrification has seen the automaker kill one of our favorite sports sedans, the Stinger. A limited-edition model will be produced as a tribute, and the EV6 GT will effectively take over where the desirable Stinger left off.