While not touted as a luxury minivan per se, the Kia Carnival is one of the nicest ways to move around the country. But over in its home market of South Korea, there’s an even plusher luxury model called the Hi-Limousine. A few of them have trickled into the country via grey imports, and it’s the most loaded version one can get.
For the 2026 model year, that special variant has received a host of updates and upgrades. But perhaps the most important one can be found under the hood. More on that later.
The Hi-Limousine gets its name from the roof extension that’s been added to the minivan. But this variant goes beyond just the extra headroom. If anything, the added features to this variant could give the Toyota Alphard a good run for its money.
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But first, what’s new with it? For the four-seater model, it now gets a 21.5-inch rear monitor plus a 7-touchscreen that features Kia’s latest interface. There’s also the availability of a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers and an amplifier.
Also added to the van are deep-pile carpets, pleated curtains, and some improvements to said curtain’s operation. Four-seater models then get upgraded seats with internal dampers and even softer padding.
The most important update comes in the form of the 1.6-liter turbo hybrid. It was previously unavailable in the Hi-Limousine, and it has replaced the familiar 2.2-liter turbodiesel. Power output is the same as the last Kia Carnival hybrid we tested, meaning 246hp and 367Nm.
Interestingly, there’s still a 3.5-liter V6 option available. That one makes 287hp and 352Nm for those curious. While it makes more horsepower than the hybrid, it’s a little behind in terms of torque.
As for the van itself, there are three seating configurations available. The entry-level model is a nine-seater, the mid-spec has seven, while the top has four. Opt for the most expensive variant and that comes with a pair of captain’s chairs that wouldn’t look out of place in business class.
There are other neat features to see in the Carnival Hi-Limousine. We’ve mentioned its on-board entertainment system care of a 21.5-inch screen. With an internet connection, one can also stream videos while on the go, among other things. There’s also something called the Starry Sky mood lighting and cupholders that can cool or heat up drinks.
A rear-seat storage box is included in the features list, along with a mini chiller. Oh, and let’s not forget the on-board air ionizer and the foot massagers. Yes, you read that right. It may not come standard with an umbrella but we’ll take the massagers over that any day.
Prices? The Hi-Limousine range kicks off at ?63,270,000 or roughly P2,600,000. Opt for the mid-spec seven-seater and that rings in at ?69,970,000, a hair under P2,900,000. As for the four-seater hybrid, that would be ?94,370,000 or approximately P3,900,000.
More photos of the Kia Carnival Hi-Limousine Hybrid:
