Kia Carnival Hi Limousine gets Lexus LM-rivalling 4-seater option with foot massager – RM317k in Korea

Kia Carnival Hi Limousine gets Lexus LM-rivalling 4-seater option with foot massager – RM317k in Korea

Last year, Kia introduced the Carnival Hi Limousine in its home market of South Korea, adding an awkward high-roof design, plenty of extra headroom (291 mm of it, to be precise) and a hint of luxury. Now, the MPV gets a whole heaping of the latter with the introduction of the Premium Lounge variant, a four-seater model in the vein of the Toyota Alphard Royal Lounge and the million-ringgit Lexus LM.

As with those Japanese cars, the elimination of the third row has allowed the rear seats to be pushed rearward, granting near-infinite levels of legroom. The pews have also grown to become proper first-class items with full electric adjustment, high-quality foam and a Premium Relaxation Seat function that helps distribute the load on the hips and waist.

Adding to the air of plushness is the Nappa leather upholstery with three-dimensional quilting on the rear seats. Meanwhile, a large console has sprouted in between, providing foldaway tables and an integrated seven-inch touchscreen to control the seat adjustment, climate control, cabin lights, the 21.5-inch overhead monitor and a foot massager.

Yes, the Premium Lounge model even comes with a foot massager, developed in collaboration with Korean healthcare company Hu-Tech and located oddly on the driver’s side. To the right of it sit a heated and chilled drinks holder and a storage bin for stowing shoes and other odds and ends.

And that’s not all – the boot also features a full-width clothes hanger rack with integrated LED lighting, plus stowage boxes at the bottom. About the only thing missing compared to the Lexus is a limousine-style cabin divider separating the front and rear sections. The super high-end model doesn’t come cheap, costing an extra 24.12 million won (RM88,000) over the seven-seater version at 86.83 million won (RM317,000).

The addition of the Premium Lounge model coincides with a 2022 model year refresh for the greater Carnival lineup, which throws in the new Kia logo, a remote parking assistant, low-speed reverse autonomous emergency braking, a remote 360-degree camera view, automatic wipers and a mould-suppressing after-blow function for the air-conditioning system.

Also new is a Noblesse Outdoor variant, ditching the power adjustment and increasing the slide length of the second-row seats. This enables the chairs to be pushed further forwards, allowing adults up to 180 cm in height to lie down in the boot – perfect for the air mattress that is part of the revised accessories package, which also includes a tent and curtains.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • I believe if KIA bring in this car, will be very popular among certain religious function.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Jom Global on Jul 14, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    This is 2 to 3 units of Hyundai Staria price.

    Hyundai has launched the all-new Hyundai Staria, a spacious MPV with a price range of 27 million won (RM 99,547) to 41 million won (RM 151,165), depending on options.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • 4G63T DSM on Jul 14, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Why oh why does Kia see it fit to do this with a black car?

    Looks like a bloody hearse. especially with those curtains…….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Silver Ghost on Jul 16, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Why these luxury vans never comes factory fitted with pneumatic suspension or magneto fluid suspension for truly comfort magic carpet ride?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Mohammad Khairul Anwar bin Hussain on Nov 07, 2021 at 1:36 am

    If Kia is doing a Hyundai Starria pricing convention this hilimousine easily hit over ½ millio mark pricetag

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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