Today we have probably the latest pictures of the KIA Carnival Facelift prototype with camouflage ahead imminent release. To get a big makeover inside and out and adding a Hybrid powertrain, the updated Carnival should get what it need to continue its reign in the MPV segment in South Korea while trying to reach the same position in the United States.
Back in July 2022, Kia released its production plans for all of its South Korean plants, including the Sohari Plant, for the 2022 year and revealed bad news for Stinger. Following that plan, Kia ceased the production of the Stinger at the beginning of 2023 after several adjustments due to continued sluggish sales.
During second quarter of 2022, Kia transformed the lines at Sohari Plant in South Korea to start the mass production of electrified vehicles such as the Carnival Hybrid variant and the electric flagship SUV, the EV9.
It is expected that Carnival Hybrid powertrain will be shared from Sorento, so we can expect a 1.6 Turbo GDi engine delivering 180 hp and an electric motor with a total output of 230 hp. Despite the PHEV, looks like Kia will skip it and could focus on a full-electric Carnival, but for now we will have to settle with the hybrid (if that’s not already covered by the EV9).
Kia will take advantage from this facelift to add some equipment missing at the time of launch of the 4th generation Carnival. This things will be a HUD, highway driving assistance 2 (HDA2), a pair of 12-inch curved displays, fingerprint recognition, Ergo Motion Seats from the EV9 and so on.
It is expected that the updated Carnival will debut in October in South Korea, arriving to the United States in the first half of 2024.
Pictures by Eden
