The Kia Carnival 2025
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – The Kia Carnival has set a new annual sales record in its 26-year history, thanks to surging demand for its hybrid model.
Kia announced on December 22 that the Carnival’s global sales from January to November reached 157,336 units, surpassing the previous high of 155,433 units set in 2002.
With one month of sales remaining, Kia projects total annual sales to exceed 170,000 units, marking a milestone for the minivan since its debut in 1998.
Domestic sales also hit new heights, with 75,513 units sold in South Korea through November. This figure is poised to exceed the Carnival’s previous domestic sales record of 76,362 units in 2018, as the model averages monthly sales of 6,000 to 7,000 units.
First launched in 1998, the Carnival gained rapid popularity as a large, stylish minivan, distinguishing itself as a “national family car.” Its appeal extended globally, with robust exports to the U.S. beginning in 2001.
While sales momentum waned in subsequent years, the COVID-19 pandemic reignited interest in the Carnival due to the rise of car camping (“cha-bak”).
That year, the Carnival surpassed 100,000 global sales for the first time, reaching 132,395 units, and crossed the 150,000 mark in 2002.
While sales momentum waned in subsequent years, the COVID-19 pandemic reignited interest in the Carnival due to the rise of car camping (“cha-bak”). The introduction of a hybrid model in late 2022 further accelerated demand.
The hybrid Carnival, equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivers 245 horsepower and 37.4 kgfm of torque, rivaling the performance of the 2.2-liter diesel engine while achieving a fuel efficiency of up to 14.6 km/L.
From January to November 2024, the hybrid model accounted for 54,931 units sold globally, representing 35% of total Carnival sales. In South Korea, it ranked as the second best-selling hybrid vehicle, with 35,843 units sold, trailing only Kia’s Sorento Hybrid.
“The rising demand for eco-friendly vehicles has significantly boosted Carnival sales, with the hybrid model leading the charge since its launch late last year,” a Kia spokesperson said.
The Carnival’s record-breaking performance underscores the growing global appetite for hybrid vehicles and reinforces its status as a market leader in the minivan segment.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
