The 2021 Kia Carnival Hi-Limousine Adds Limousine Luxuries To An Already Premium MPV

• It features a large roof with an LED auxiliary brake light, front bumper guard side steps, and Hi-Limousine badging on the outside.

• Cabin highlights include second-row captain seats, pleated side curtains, LED ambient mood lighting and LED reading lights.

• It is powered by a 294PS/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

• India is expected to get the standard next-gen Carnival in 2022.

Back in August 2020, Kia Motors had taken the wraps off the next generation of its flagship MPV, the Carnival. The generational update saw an SUV-like design as well as a plethora of features. Now, the carmaker has introduced an even more premium trim for the Carnival in the form of the Hi-Limousine in Korea. Offered in 7- and 9-seater configurations, this particular variant adds limousine premiums to Kia’s flagship MPV.

Starting with the design, the most visible difference in the Carnival Hi-Limousine is an absurdly high roof that looks like something meant for cargo space. It's actually meant to increase headroom. It also features other exterior tweaks such as a front bumper guard, side steps, a LED auxiliary brake light at the rear of the high roof, and Hi-Limousine badging.

Kia wasn’t kidding themselves with the Hi-Limousine name. The cabin actually features a lounge-like white theme and a second row featuring two captain seats with leg rests. At the centre of the second row sits a massive 21.5-inch entertainment system. Other highlights include an air purifier, heated and cooled cup holders, LED ambient mood lighting, pleated side curtains, as well as second and third-row LED reading lights.

Under the hood, the Carnival Hi-Limousine is powered by a 294PS/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 direct-injection petrol, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard Carnival also gets 272PS/332Nm 3.5-litre MPi V6 petrol and a 202PS/440Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine to play with. 

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Back home, India is expected to get the standard next-gen Kia Carnival by 2022. It is yet to be known whether the Hi-Limousine trim will make it to India, but the third-generation of the Carnival Hi-Limousine trim was showcased at Auto Expo 2020 back in February 2020. Expect a premium over the current model that retails from Rs 24.95 lakh (ex-showroom). It currently rivals the Toyota Innova Crysta.