Kia has shown through its recently launched cars that the brand has developed a bolder and more futuristic ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. We first saw this new direction on the EV9 SUV and the EV6 earlier in the year. More recently, the Sorento and the Picanto have been designed with this new design on their mid-cycle refresh.
Now, the Kia Carnival is the next car on Kia’s roster to get a makeover. Because of the major changes in the exterior, you will be forgiven for thinking that this was a new car. Worry not, it’s just a facelift. The released images of the Korea-spec Carnival present a new front and rear-end design, updated wheel options, and the introduction of a new trim level named "Gravity," featuring a sleek blacked-out color scheme.
At the front, the Carnival has a more imposing face with the redesigned grille texture and the larger headlights, adorned with futuristic LED accent strips. Additionally, the rear of the car features new taillights that incorporate expansive LED strips spanning almost the entire width of the vehicle, extending downward into the fender with a small lip at the sides. The wheels have also been refreshed, now featuring a geometric design with a two-tone color scheme.
Interior images are still under wraps, leaving us uncertain about potential updates. It wouldn't be unexpected if Kia were to introduce fresh features or enhance the Carnival's infotainment screen in conjunction with this facelift. With that said, we can also expect Kia to add some upgrades to the Carnival’s seat upholstery and a few trim pieces in the interior.
As for powertrain options, the Carnival is offered overseas with a 2.0-liter inline-four and a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine or a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel. Here in the Philippines, the Carnival is only offered with the 2.2-liter diesel engine that puts out 199 hp and 440 Nm of torque. Reports from Korea and other automotive news outlets say that the updated Carnival will get a hybrid powertrain option sourced from the Sorento.
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