Kia's Most Opulent Vehicle to Date is Neither an SUV Nor a Sedan | Carscoops

      The 2026 Carnival Hi Limousine makes its return featuring refreshed aesthetics, enhanced comfort, and two powertrain options.

      10 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      The revamped Kia Carnival Hi Limousine boasts bolder styling and a hybrid option.

      The Signature trim comes equipped with reclining massage chairs, folding tables, and a refrigerator.

      Prices in Korea range from KRW 45,900 to KRW 70,900 based on the trim and powertrain choice.

      In China and other markets, luxurious minivans have become highly sought after, serving as spacious alternatives to conventional flagship sedans and SUVs. In Korea, this demand is met by the Kia Carnival Hi Limousine, which has recently undergone updates for 2026.

      The Carnival Hi Limousine was initially launched in late 2020 as the most luxurious minivan variant, recognized for its premium features and a roof-mounted storage box that, upon closer inspection, is actually an extended roof section meant to enhance interior height and accommodate extra equipment.

      For the new model year, it features the styling and technology enhancements seen in the facelifted Carnival, along with new amenities and a hybrid powertrain option for the first time.

      Refined Appearance and Luxurious Interior

      The large Kia now showcases a more aggressive front with vertically stacked headlights and a boxier grille, along with new alloy wheels and a full-width taillight arrangement, mirroring the standard version. The defining characteristic remains the high roof extension, made from press-formed steel to improve aerodynamics and increase headroom.

      Customers can select from four, seven, or nine-seat configurations across two or three rows. The four-seat Signature trim offers the utmost opulence, complete with rear captain’s chairs featuring retractable footrests, reclining backrests, and a massage function to alleviate fatigue. Additional amenities include a foot massager and a dedicated shoe storage space.

      Rear occupants will find a 21.5-inch roof-mounted screen with updated graphics, a 7-inch touchscreen controller on the center console, wireless charging pads, folding tables, a coat hanger, and a refrigerator. An optional 12-speaker Bose audio system is also available.

      Other enhancements for 2026 include thicker floor mats with a new stripe pattern and an additional stitch line on the pleated curtains. The ambient mood lamp and starry sky lamp on the high roof now have a memory function, preserving preferred settings even after the ignition is turned off.

      Prioritizing Comfort

      Significantly, Kia has enhanced the ride quality of the four-seater model by integrating a damper, a soft pad, and a lowered rear seating height. These modifications complement the broader enhancements in suspension tuning and sound insulation introduced with the Carnival facelift.

      The updated model offers two powertrain choices: a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine producing 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and a turbocharged 1.6-liter self-charging hybrid generating 242 hp (180 kW / 245 PS). These options align with those available in the standard Carnival, though the 2.2-liter diesel option is absent in the Hi Limousine.

      What Are the Prices?

      The 2026 Kia Carnival Hi Limousine is now available for order in Korea. Prices start at KRW 63.27 million ($45,900) for the new nine-seat Noblesse trim with the V6 engine, reaching up to KRW 97.80 million ($70,900) for the four-seat Signature hybrid flagship. For comparison, the standard Carnival is priced between KRW 36.36 million and KRW 52.11 million ($26,400–$37,800).