Kia debuts new people-mover in Korea alongside four-seat model with foot massager

Kia has updated its Carnival people-mover for 2022 in Korea, bringing updated badging and new additions – as well as the introduction of an ultra-luxury four-seat version.

New for 2022 is the latest Kia badging first revealed on a the production Kia Sedona in the US – a rebadged version of the Carnival – in February.

Additional features added to the Carnival for 2022 include remote smart parking assist, reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, a remote 360-camera view and an updated air-conditioning system which will run for a short period after the engine has been switched off.

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In Korea in the new Carnival comes as a four-seater limo

Also available in Korea is the long-wheelbase Carnival Hi-Limousine, a model which has been available since 2020 and is usually large enough to accommodate up to 11 people – but now comes in as a four-seater.

Priced from just under 87 million South Korean Won (AU$101,430), this new variant of the Carnival Hi-Limousine – known simply as the ‘4-seater’ – places an emphasis on two rear captain chairs, both trimmed in quilted, “three-dimensional” Nappa upholstery.

Headlining the equipment list is a foot massager available for rear passengers, developed in conjunction with Hutech, a Korean healthcare company which specialises in massage chairs. Rear-seat passengers are also treated to heated/cooled cup holders, a 21.5-inch ceiling-mounted Smart TV, pleated curtains and a wireless phone charger.

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The limo will not be available in Australia

Creature comforts extend to a new rear-seat shoe-storage box and a drink storage cabinet with heating or cooling.

In addition, a 7-inch integrated controller is included between the two rear seats, allowing for customisation of various features, including the foot massager and ambient lighting incorporated into the roof. These functions can also be controlled through a specific smartphone application.

While the four-seat Carnival variant is off-limits for Australia according to a local spokesperson, Kia Australia will launch an updated 2022 Carnival people-mover in August.

At launch there will be no changes to spec on the incoming model, with the addition of the 12.3-inch digital cluster display, blind-spot camera and auto-sensing wipers being added as a running change later in the year, although Kia Australia could not yet confirm when this will be.

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The new variant features a foot massager in the rear