Kia Carnival Hybrid review: Hybrid power and modern updates for a spacious family MPV

We've seen all manner of large MPVs go on sale in Singapore recently. Many of these are Chinese in origin, come filled with lots of fancy tech and luxury features, and feature some form of electrification, being either full electric vehicles (EVs), or plug-in hybrids.

But what if you wanted something a bit more traditional and old-school? Well, there are a handful of MPVs that stick to the classic internal combustion route and one of them is the updated Kia Carnival tested here.

What's new in the latest Kia Carnival?

The updated Kia Carnival has received a mid-life facelift, and it gets some pretty substantial changes externally, internally and under the hood.

On the outside, it gets a larger front grille that's flanked by vertical LED headlights on either side. The overall effect gives the car a more imposing look that gives it lots of presence, especially in the test car's black colour.

The rear has also been slightly redesigned, with the taillights now extending downwards at both ends from the horizontal light bar. It's a small but significant change, and gives the Kia Carnival a futuristic look that wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi movie.

The changes to the interior are somewhat more subtle, however. The most visible update is the driver instrument panel, which is now a fully digital item with a 12.3-inch display, instead of the previous analogue gauges.

The controls on the dashboard have also been redesigned and refreshed, and features Kia's new switchable LCD display that can toggle between the controls for the air conditioning or media system.

The biggest change to the Kia Carnival though, is under the bonnet, with the large MPV now swapping its previous 2.2-litre diesel engine for a 1.6-litre hybrid powerplant.

Despite the downsized engine, it actually has more power than before. The new hybrid drivetrain now produces 241hp, an increase of 43hp over the diesel's 198hp. However, torque has been reduced to 366Nm, down from 440Nm previously.

The car's gearbox also now has six speeds instead of its previous eight, and Kia says that hybrid drivetrain's power delivery reduces the need for more gears, as compared to the diesel powerplant which required more shifts.

So how does the updated Kia Carnival Hybrid drive?

The primary reason for the switch to hybrid power from diesel is down to the fact that Singapore has banned the registration of new diesel passenger cars from January 2025.

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But while diesel enthusiasts may lament the loss of the plentiful torque of the old powerplant, the new hybrid drivetrain does bring about its own characteristics and benefits.

For starters, it's no less responsive than the diesel, with the electric motor of the hybrid delivering an instant boost on acceleration with no lag. The transition from electric motor to petrol engine feels seamless as well, and the switch is virtually imperceptible.

Smoothness is a pervasive theme with this car, and the Carnival impresses with its well-damped ride quality and excellent refinement. On smooth highways, the Kia Carnival glides along in great comfort and silence, while on rougher roads the suspension works well to ease out the bumps without feeling too ruffled.

Of course, given the Carnival's stature as a large family MPV, one should not expect much in terms of nimbleness or agility. The steering is appropriately heavy, and while it's not exactly cumbersome to steer around corners, its size and weight is clearly evident to the driver.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Kia Carnival Hybrid delivers a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100km, which is actually not that far off from the diesel's figure of 6.8 litres per 100km.

But of course, the fact that the hybrid allows for the ability to drive on electric power means that, on the whole, it is still considered greener and more efficient than the diesel-powered model.

How does the Kia Carnival Hybrid fare as an MPV then?

Given its size, it's no surprise that the Kia Carnival Hybrid is extremely spacious inside. After all, this is meant to be a car that can ferry seven people in comfort over long distances.

The best seats in the house are arguably in the second row, with its pair of 'VIP lounge seats' (as Kia calls them) that can recline fully, and come with heating and ventilation functions as well.

But even if you're confined to the third row, there's still plenty of room to accommodate full-sized adults without needing to contort yourself to get comfortable. As a nice touch, there are also comfort features like cupholders and sunshades, so that those in the back don't feel like second-class citizens.

Probably the most impressive bit about the Kia Carnival though is its generous boot space. With all the seats up, there is a massive 627 litres available, which is enough to fit two full-sized luggage bags, and then some.

If you fold the third row seats down, there is an absolutely colossal 2,827 litres of space. With that kind of capacity, you could throw in a couple of bicycles and an entire selection of Ikea flat-packed furniture and still have room to spare.

Is the Kia Carnival Hybrid a worthy buy then?

While the Kia Carnival Hybrid is incredibly spacious and comfortable, even by large MPV standards, it doesn't exactly come cheap.

The 7-seater version as tested here retails for $287,999 with COE (as of June 2025). You can save a little bit if you opt for the 8-seater version, which goes for $281,999 with COE, but you lose the ultra-comfortable 'VIP lounge seats' in the second row in favour of a standard three-seater bench.

That said, it does have its appeal. The new hybrid powertrain is smooth and efficient, and the updates certainly give the Carnival a renewed sense of modernity. If you're looking for a large family MPV of the old-school, non-electric variety, the Kia Carnival Hybrid is a choice that's hard to ignore.

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ben.chia@asiaone.com

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