The new Carnival Hi Limousine returns for 2026 with fresh styling, added comfort, and a two powertrain options
Luxurious minivans are a big deal in China and other markets where buyers prefer spacious alternatives to traditional flagship sedans and SUVs. In Korea, that role is filled by the Kia Carnival Hi Limousine, which has just received a new round of updates for 2026.
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The Carnivan Hi Limousine was first introduced in late 2020 as the most premium version of the minivan, distinguished not just by its upscale equipment but also by what appears at first glance to be a roof-mounted storage box. In reality, it’s an extended roof section designed to increase interior height and house additional equipment.
For the new model year, it adopts the styling and tech upgrades already rolled out on the facelifted Carnival, while adding new features and, for the first time, a hybrid powertrain option.
Sharper Looks and Lounge-Like Interior
Visually, the big Kia adopts a sharper face with vertically stacked headlights and a boxier grille, new alloy wheels, and a full-width taillight cluster, just like the regular version. Its signature feature remains the high roof extension, crafted from press-formed steel to improve aerodynamics while creating extra headroom inside.
Buyers can choose four, seven, or nine-seat layouts spread across two or three rows. The flagship four-seat Signature trim is the most indulgent, featuring rear captain’s chairs with retractable footrests, reclining backrests, and a massage function to fight fatigue. It even adds a foot massager and a dedicated shoe storage compartment.
Rear passengers are treated to a roof-mounted 21.5-inch screen with refreshed graphics, a 7-inch touchscreen controller in the center console, wireless charging pads, folding tables, a coat hanger, and a refrigerator. A new 12-speaker Bose audio system is available as an option.
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Other upgrades for 2026 include the increased thickness of the floor mats that feature a new stripe pattern, and the added stitch line on the pleated curtains. Furthermore, the ambient mood lamp and starry sky mood lamp on the high roof have gained a memory function so the desired settings are maintained even when the ignition is turned off.
Comfort First
More importantly, Kia has improved the ride quality of the four-seater version by adding a damper, a soft pad, and a lowered rear seating height. These tweaks build on the broader improvements in suspension tuning and sound insulation that were introduced with the Carnival facelif
The updated model is available with two powertrain options, including a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine that produces 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and a turbocharged 1.6-liter self-charging hybrid that is good for 242 hp (180 kW / 245 PS). These mirror the options of the standard Carnival, though the 2.2-liter diesel is not available on the Hi Limousine.
What Does It Cost?
The 2026 Kia Carnival Hi Limousine is already available to order in Korea. Prices start at KRW 63.27 million ($45,900) for the newly introduced nine-seat Noblesse trim with the V6, rising to KRW 97.80 million ($70,900) for the four-seat Signature hybrid flagship. For context, the regular Carnival ranges from KRW 36.36–52.11 million ($26,400–37,800).
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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