Facelifted Kia Carnival Hybrid lands in Singapore

As the local MPV segment continues to be contested fiercely, Singaporean drivers who find themselves often ferrying a party of seven - or indeed eight - on-board now have a thoroughly updated grand name to look forward to: The facelifted Kia Carnival Hybrid. Now officially on sale, the MPV was first previewed to members of the media on 18 July 2024 (last Thursday) at a fittingly funfair-themed event. 

Model facelifts can run the entire gamut from light cosmetic tweaks to more comprehensive overhauls, and it's clear that the one for the new Carnival falls into the latter camp.

The facelifted Carnival Hybrid arrives more than three years after the original fourth-gen Carnival was launched in Singapore 

With this mid-life refresh arriving more than three years since it was unveiled in its original fourth-generation form, it's not just its exterior styling, but also its cabin, and perhaps most importantly, its drivetrain that has been updated.

In fact, you'll note that the headlining act of the updates for the new Carnival is that it is now a full-hybrid.

Whereas the original fourth-gen Carnival was powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, pop the bonnet of the facelifted Carnival Hybrid open and one will find a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine instead, mated to an electric motor rated at 54kW (72bhp) and a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The Carnival Hybrid's 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid powertrain offers not just better efficiency, but also more power than the previous turbodiesel one

Moving into petrol-electric territory - and with a smaller engine too - already bodes well for how the new Carnival will fare in terms of fuel efficiency, and also against emissions penalties and road tax calculators. But its new turbo-hybrid powertrain has yet another edge still: It produces more power than the outgoing turbodiesel one, with system output now standing at 241bhp (an increase of 43bhp) and 366Nm of torque. Consequently, the facelifted Carnival Hybrid is also quicker off the line than the original diesel-powered Carnival, completing the century sprint in just 9.3 seconds (or a good 1.4 seconds quicker).

Kia adds that the Carnival Hybrid promises better comfort and stability thanks to its advanced hybrid technology.

A new 'E-Ride' system, for instance, relies on the electric motor to keep the car's forward and backward rocking motions at bay. It's unlikely you'll want to race your Carnival Hybrid, but its 'E-Handling' feature ('Electrically Assisted Handling Performance' in full) also sees the electric motor aiding in its cornering performance, by either braking or adding drive - to transfer weight to the front and rear of the car respectively - for improved stability.

Active air flaps on the car's new lower bumper, as well as aerodynamically optimised rims, are said to help further improve the Carnival Hybrid's fuel economy

With official figures pegging the Carnival Hybrid's fuel consumption at 15.4km/L - meaning you can theoretically travel more than 1,000km on a single tank of petrol - Kia points out that it's not just the car's new powertrain, but other fresh elements of its updated exterior that help to improve its fuel economy.

Although the Carnival Hybrid continues to ride on 19-inch wheels, these now feature the firm's new Hybrid Electric Vehicle-specific rims - boasting an eye-catching blocky pattern - that have been aerodynamically optimised.

On its new lower bumper, one will also find active air flaps similar to those on the fully electric Kia EV9 that can automatically open and close to optimise air intake (this is dependent on ambient temperature and driving conditions). When cooling demand is low, the flaps remain closed to help reduce the hunkering Carnival Hybrid's drag and slip more smoothly through the air.

Speaking of the new bumper, the new Carnival Hybrid also sports tastefully evolved styling.

Conceptualised in accordance with the firm's current 'Opposites United' design philosophy, the Carnival Hybrid's new rear and front ends come with slimmed down taillight and head light signatures. The latter even encase cool-looking, cube-shaped projector lamps - and remind us of the EV9's face

While sticking to the 'Grand Utility Vehicle' identity that it was initially introduced with, the MPV's front and rear ends have been revised in line with the firm's current 'Opposites United' design philosophy, with significantly slimmed down head and taillight signatures helping to frame its bonnet and tailgate. Expectedly, Kia's 'Tiger Nose' grille remains a distinctive hallmark of the new Carnival Hybrid's face, but it has also been reshaped slightly and enlarged over the one on the previous car.

In terms of raw dimensions, however, the facelifted Carnival Hybrid is largely unchanged, stretching out at 5,155mm long and 1,995 wide; the car has only gained an additional 10mm in terms of height, but even at 1,785mm tall, remains more practical than other taller MPVs on the market with its ability to duck under carparks with 1.8m height limits.

Longtime fans of the Carnival will know, above all, that it is sheer space that remains the car's calling card - and the new Carnival Hybrid continues to deliver on its front.

The Carnival Hybrid's 627-litre boot with all three rows up remains class leading

Seven-seater variants come with second-row Relaxation Seats which can be reclined (with footrests!) and offer seat ventilation

Its wheelbase, for instance, remains unchanged at 3,090mm wheelbase, offering generous space for occupants across all three rows. Additionally, one trump card that the Carnival certainly has over its competitors is the sheer size of its boot even with all three rows up: A generous total of 627 litres, within which even full-sized luggages can fit.

For utmost versatility, the Carnival Hybrid is offered in an eight-seater configuration, but for families seeking a more sumptuous commuting experience, the seven-seater should be the one to go for. The latter offers reclinable 'Relaxation Seats' in the second row (with footrests!) - essentially captain's chairs that come with ventilation, and can slide not just forwards and backwards but sideways too.

But while the generosity in space onboard isn't new, what has certainly changed is the car's cabin, which comes with three two-tone interior colours (the one you see here is the Navy/Misty Gray combination).

The Carnival Hybrid's redesigned dashboard now features a single panel integrating twin 12.3-inch screens

Dropping the analogue dials of old, the Carnival Hybrid's upgraded dashboard brings with it a new single panel that integrates a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment touchscreen. Also new is the LCD touch panel we've seen on cars like the Niro Hybrid, which switch between volume and climate controls. Other highlights up front include a head-up display, and a shift-by-wire rotary gear selector.

Tangible creature comforts aside, those who find themselves behind the wheel will also find the driving experience rather relaxing thanks to the Carnival Hybrid's full suite of the brand's latest safety assistance systems.

One all-new highlight is the car's advanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system, dubbed by Kia as FCA 2.0. With its ability to detect vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians alike, FCA 2.0 which can assist with emergency braking not just in potential head-on collisions, but also when the car senses oncoming traffic when turning at an intersection or when changing lanes.

The Carnival Hybrid is also equipped with Auto Evasive Steering Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. 

The Kia Carnival Hybrid is now on sale, with prices starting at $269,999 (including COE) for the eight-seater variant.