Kia has recently released a hybrid version of its Carnival model. However, this new model will not be eligible for tax incentives due to being 0.3㎞/ℓ short of the required standard. The Carnival has undergone some changes this year, now offering a hybrid powertrain alongside its gasoline and diesel options for the first time.
Kia has stated on Friday that the Carnival Hybrid has a combined fuel efficiency of 14.0㎞/ℓ, as measured by the company's laboratory. That's based on the nine-passenger, 18-inch tire model, which gets the best fuel economy.
While official numbers will be released after the hybrid goes through the certification process, Kia believes that it will not meet the 14.3㎞/ℓ threshold required to qualify for the green car tax credit. Thus, when signing up for a pre-contract, Kia informs consumers that there is no hybrid vehicle tax credit available.
In Korea, individuals purchasing hybrid cars can receive a reduction of 1 million won in consumption tax if the car meets fuel efficiency standards. Consumers can save a total of 1.43 million won when education tax (300,000 won) and value-added tax (130,000 won), which are linked to the individual consumption tax, are taken into account.
To qualify for the tax benefit, the car's fuel efficiency must meet certain criteria: 19.4㎞/ℓ for subcompact cars, 17.0㎞/ℓ for compact cars, 14.3㎞/ℓ for mid-size cars, and higher than a certain value for full-size cars.
The Carnival Hybrid falls under the mid-size car category, according to the Enforcement Regulations of the Motor Vehicle Control Act. A full-size car is defined as having either a displacement of 2000 cubic centimeters or more, or a length, width, and height that exceeds that of a compact car (4700mm-1700mm-2000mm). Since the Carnival Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and has a wheelbase of 1775㎜, it is a mid-size car by displacement.
Improving the fuel economy of the Carnival will be a challenge due to its heavy curb weight and high aerodynamic drag when compared to the Santa Fe and Sorento SUVs.
However, the Carnival Hybrid is more fuel efficient than the Carnival Gasoline and Diesel models. The Carnival Gasoline model offers up to 9.0㎞/ℓ, while the Diesel model offers up to 13.1㎞/ℓ.
This is why the Carnival Hybrid is more expensive than its gasoline-diesel counterparts. For seven passengers, the price of the gasoline model ranges from 41.69 million to 45.25 million won, while the diesel model ranges from 43.62 million to 47.18 million won.
In comparison, the hybrid model ranges from 46.19 million to 49.75 million won. For nine passengers, the gasoline model ranges from 34.7 million to 42.45 million won, the diesel model ranges from 36.65 million to 44.40 million won, and the hybrid model ranges from 39.25 million to 47.00 million won.
Meanwhile, the Carnival Hybrid is classified as a low-emission vehicle and is expected to receive benefits such as discounts on public parking lots and exemption from congestion charges. Additionally, the 9-seater will be exempt from individual consumption tax from the start.
This article was originally published on Nov. 10, 2023.