Kia has taken the covers off from the 2024 Carnival facelift in South Korea. The upcoming iteration of the luxury MPV gets cosmetic upgrades, and updated powertrain options over the pre-facelift model. The current fourth generation Carnival made its global debut in August 2020 but made its way to India only last year.
2024 Kia Carnival facelift: Updated Design
The latest iteration of Carnival is based on the Kia KA4 that was shown at the Auto Expo in India earlier this year. Design of the new Carnival gets a comprehensive upgrade over the outgoing model with the new ‘Modern Boldness’ concept taking centre stage while still being based on Kia’s brand design philosophy ‘Opposites United’.
Unlike the KA4 concept, the production version of the new Carnival gets a more upright nose featuring a wide grille flanked by L headlamps with integrated DRLs. The new grille gets fin-like inserts with chrome treatment while the bumper houses a small air intake lower down featuring a faux brushed aluminium skid plate.
Side profile remains largely unchanged barring the new alloy wheel designs inspired by the new-gen born electric Kia models like EV5 and EV9. At the rear, the inverted L-shaped LED taillamps are connected to each other across the tailgate. The reprofiled rear bumper gets a fusion of matte black and chrome.
2024 Kia Carnival facelift: Engine options
Internationally, Kia Carnival is offered with a 3.5-litre V6 naturally aspirated petrol engine. The India-spec model, however, gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine that kicks out 197 bhp and 440 Nm of peak torque. This unit is paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
Kia will also add a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol hybrid powertrain to the updated Carnival lineup. However, it is unlikely this engine will make it to the Indian market. Expect the new Kia Carnival to launch in India sometime next year. It will be slotted in between the Toyota Innova Hycross and Toyota Vellfire, with an estimated price tag of Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom).
