Kia Carnival

Kia Carnival Overview

Currently in its fourth generation, the big Kia Carnival first entered the Malaysian market as a fully-imported (CBU) model early in January 2022, by Dinamikjaya Motors, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in the country, which is a subsidiary of Berjaya Auto. Three locally-assembled variants have since been introduced, with another one to follow soon. Thus, the variants are:

Kia Carnival 2.2D 11-seater (CBU) – RM196,340.80 (OTR w/o insurance)
Kia Carnival 2.2D 8-seater (CKD) – RM213,228.80 (OTR w/o insurance)
Kia Carnival 2.2D 8-seater High (CKD) – RM247,228.80 (OTR w/o insurance)
Kia Carnival 2.2D 7-seater High (CKD) – RM263,988.80 (OTR w/o insurance)
Kia Carnival 11-seater (CKD) – future model, no details yet

Kia Carnival Design

The Kia Carnival is designed pleasingly. The headlamps are embedded in the grille, while the rear combination taillights are set as a broad, dramatic stripe across the rear. Windows dominate most of the silhouette, and overall the design is modern and luxurious. 18-inch alloy rims with 235/60 profile tyres are found on every variant, as are automatic LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, and LED front fog lamps.

Colour options for the CKD variants are Astra Blue, Sonic Silver, Meteor Gray, Jet Black and Snowflake White Pearl, while the CBU model gets Silky Silver, Panthera Metal, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl and Flare Red.

Kia Carnival Interior

All CKD Kia Carnival variants have three rows of seats. The 8-seaters have a 2-3-3 layout, with a 40:20:40 split-folding middle row that is detachable to be faced backwards if needed. The 7-seater has a 2-2-3 layout, with captain chairs for the middle row of seats. All variants have light brown upholstery.

Other interior highlights include paddle shifters, rear climate control (ceiling vents on the second row only), 8-way powered front passenger seat, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, 12-speaker Bose sound system, seven USB ports, and Qi wireless charger. All CKD models come with a sunroof, and have an option to upgrade the driver’s 4.2-ince TFT-LCD information display to a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.

Kia Carnival Features

Common features across every variant of the Kia Carnival include sunshades for the rear rows of seats, folding-flat third row seats, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and engine start, dual power-sliding rear doors, powered tailgate, and heated side mirrors, while high variants have a surround-view monitor in place of the standard reverse camera.

High variants of the Kia Carnival also receive the latest safety equipment, like the High Beam Assist, Blind-spot Collision Warning, Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (AEB) with junction-turning support, Lane Following Assist, and Smart Cruise Control.

Kia Carnival Driving Performance

Engine and Transmission

All variants of the Kia Carnival both CKD and CBU come with only one powertrain option in Malaysia. It is a 2.2-litre Smartstream D2.2 4-cylinder turbodiesel that makes 202 PS (199 hp) at 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm at 1,750 – 2,750 rpm. Power is channelled to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Driving Performance

With 440 Nm from low down, the engine pulls the Kia Carnival adequately, if a little uninspiringly. The ride and handling is well-balanced for comfort, but is not floaty around the corners.

Kia Carnival Ride Comfort

The car sits on MacPherson Strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. The 11-seater boxy MPV is As a mover of many people, the Kia Carnival is comfortable and refined in terms of ride-comfort.

Kia Grand Carnival Fuel Consumption

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel and 8-speed transmission of the Kia Carnival is rated by the NEDC to have a combined fuel consumption of 6.5 l/100km (15.38 km/l)

Kia Carnival Conclusion

The Kia Carnival carries passengers like a van in CBU format, and in CKD format manages to bloody the nose of well-known MPV/vans like the famous Toyota Alphard. Other countries receive a large 3.5-litre V6 petrol powerplant, but in our automotive landscape, the 2.2-litre turbodiesel is the one to have. The Kia Carnival's van-like capacity, SUV-like looks, and luxury car-like ride comfort sets the large MPV apart from the competition, and this combination of traits makes the Kia Carnival an excellent choice for large families or business-purposes.