The MPV version of the Korean brand for the North American market was presented at the Chicago Auto Show. Sales in the States will begin this coming summer.
Kia has been producing the Carnival minivan since 1998, the current fourth generation (sharing the platform with the current Kia Sorento crossover) appeared in 2020. The restyled version of the MPV for the home market debuted at the beginning of November last year, and a little later the Koreans presented a four-seat VIP version of the HiLimousine. Now the updated Carnival minivan has reached the American market: a live premiere will take place at the Chicago Auto Show, which will open its doors to the general public on February 10.
In the photo: updated Kia Carnival (version for the American market)
During the update, the minivan noticeably refreshed its appearance, this is especially noticeable in the design of the front part. Thus, the restyled Carnival received a wider radiator grille with small chrome horizontal “strokes”. In addition, the model received new headlights, like the refreshed Sorento, with amber daytime running lights (DRL) and vertical main headlight units.
The rear was updated with a different tailgate: the place for attaching the license plate “moved” lower, a different design has a diffuser in the lower part of the rear bumper, and the shape and design of the lights changed: they added vertical “fangs”. The roof rails and the shark fin antenna were not touched during the restyling.
The interior of the American version of the Kia Carnival also received its share of new things. On the front panel there is a new horizontal display that combines a pair of 12.3-inch displays: one of them acts as a virtual instrument panel, and the second as a touchscreen for the infotainment system (the pre-reform version has the same screen size, but the design is different) .
The models also changed the touch control unit for the climate control system, and the gearbox lever located on the central tunnel was replaced with a washer. The voice assistant provided for the model can open/close the windows in the car, as well as change the temperature in the cabin. Separate multimedia screens are provided for second-row passengers; their diagonal is 14.6 inches.
The list of equipment of the updated Carnival includes the function of opening doors from a smartphone (using a digital key), a frontal collision avoidance system, assistants when passing through intersections, when changing lanes and a number of other electronic driver assistants.
The model will still be available with a 3.5-liter V6 GDI engine, the output of which in the American specification has decreased slightly, now it is 290 hp (the predecessor has 294 hp), and the maximum torque is 352 Nm. Even now, the minivan has received a hybrid version: its HEV-installation is based on a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo-four, working in tandem with a 73-horsepower electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. The total output is 245 hp. (367 Nm).
The updated Kia Carnival will go on sale in the American market this coming summer, prices will be announced later. A pre-reform minivan in the USA can be purchased for at least $33,600, and for the top-end version they ask for at least $46,700.
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