Singapore Motorshow 2024 is the venue for the right-hand drive (RHD) debut of the 2024 Kia Carnival facelift. The fourth generation of the pioneering Korean MPV saw a styling revision in its domestic left-hand drive (LHD) market in October last year.

For now, the Carnival facelift that is shown at Kia Singapore’s booth during the city-island state’s premier motor show is only for preview as prices weren’t announced. The pre-facelift Carnival has also been discontinued in Singapore since June 2023.

While the pre-facelift Carnival was only offered with four 2.2-litre turbodiesel variants, the facelifted unit shown at Singapore Motorshow is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol-electric hybrid. Making its debut on the Carnival, the hybrid powertrain produces a combined power output of 245 PS/367 Nm and has a claimed fuel consumption of 14 km/L (7.14 L/100 km).

Also read: 2024 Kia Carnival facelift unveiled, 3 powertrains offered including 1.6 turbo hybrid

In Korea, the Carnival Hybrid comes with 3 electric motor-based features:

• E-Ride: Provides a comfortable ride by minimising vehicle scuttle and shakes over bumps or when accelerating by adjusting the motor’s torque
• E-Handling: Increases steering responsiveness and turning stability by adjusting the vehicle’s centre of gravity through the electric motor’s acceleration or deceleration when entering or exiting a corner
• E-EHA (Electrically Evasive Handling Assist): Increases the load on the front and rear wheels when making an evasive manoeuvre to avoid a frontal collision

The Singapore unit is a 7-seater with a 2-2-3 seating configuration though the Korean Carnival offers 9- and 11-seater versions just like in Malaysia.

Also read: Review: CKD Kia Carnival - For the boss or for the family? Why not both?

Besides the introduction of a hybrid as well as a more futuristic-looking front and rear design, Kia claims the updated Carnival has improved ride comfort and is quieter than ever. In South Korea, a more exclusive 4-seater version of the Carnival called Carnival High Limousine is offered and Kia applied the shock absorber from the pre-facelift High Limousine as standard on the updated Carnival.

According to Kia, the sense of motion sickness for rear occupants is reduced when going over undulations. Additionally, reinforced sound absorbing and insulating materials help to minimise intrusive road noises even more for a comfortable travelling experience for all occupants.

Other new features offered to the Carnival facelift, at least in South Korea, include:

• Gas struts for the front bonnet
• Head-up display
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Fingerprint authentication system
• Multi-zone voice recognition with “Hey Kia” voice command

In Korea, the 7-seater Carnival Hybrid is priced from KRW 46.2 million (~RM 163k). The pre-facelift Carnival is still on sale in Malaysia with four variants to choose from, all of which are locally assembled (CKD) in Kulim:

• Carnival 2.2D 11-seater – RM 213,888
• Carnival 2.2D 8-seater Mid – RM 229,888
• Carnival 2.2D 8-seater High – RM 245,888
• Carnival 2.2D 7-seater High – RM 259,888

Also read: Grander than a recond Alphard? Here are the prices and specs of the 2024 Kia Carnival in Malaysia