Kia Carnival 2024: Now Taking Reservations for Early Bird Delivery in September or October

The Kia Carnival mid-life facelift was globally unveiled in late 2023. In July, it was also spotted at a Hanoi emissions testing center, marking the first appearance of the facelifted MPV in Vietnam.

This mid-life refresh sees the Kia Carnival receive notable exterior tweaks. The front now boasts the signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, accented with a chrome surround. New vertical LED headlights feature a stylized T-shaped DRL signature, flanked by fog lamps on either side of the central air intake. Electrically sliding doors, a redesigned rear bumper, and a new set of alloy wheels complete the exterior revisions.

At the rear, the standout feature is the new LED taillights with a 3D Starmap effect, complemented by a full-width LED light bar that stretches across the tailgate and into the redesigned rear bumper.

Inside, the Kia Carnival 2024 adopts a modern cabin layout, akin to its EV6 and EV9 siblings. It features a dual-screen setup with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an equally sized infotainment screen. Other highlights include a head-up display, a new climate control panel, a rotary gear selector, a digital rearview mirror, and ergonomically designed seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The interior is finished in a tasteful two-tone color scheme.

On the safety front, the Carnival 2024 introduces Highway Driving Assistance 2, offering semi-autonomous driving capabilities by maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, adhering to preset speeds, and keeping the vehicle centered in its lane. This system now also includes lane change assist, a feature absent from the previous generation.

Whether these features will be retained for the Vietnamese market remains to be seen, and their inclusion could result in a slight price increase.

According to dealers, the earliest deliveries will be for the 2.2-liter diesel variant, producing 199 horsepower and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 3.5-liter V6 gasoline option may be discontinued, with a hybrid model taking its place. This hybrid setup combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a combined output of 242 horsepower and 367 Nm of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Kia claims impressive fuel efficiency for this hybrid powertrain, with a combined consumption figure of just 7.1 liters/100km.

Currently, the Kia Carnival is offered in Vietnam in seven different variants, with seating configurations for seven or eight passengers. Pricing ranges from VND 1,189 billion to VND 1,759 billion.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)