Review: Forget recond Alphards, the 2022 Kia Carnival is Malaysia's best sub-RM 200k large MPV

With phone prices being what they are, chances are you spent quite a bit of time researching before getting the device you’re reading this article on. And if Malaysians equate their wheels like they did phones, the 2022 Kia Carnival would be the one tech journos rave about as the underrated flagship killer.

Actually that's rather accurate. Having tested the new fully-imported (CBU Korea, local assembly to start later) Carnival, we think it lives up to the interest and then some, deftly balancing between being sort of a 'driver’s MPV' and comfortably carting more than five people at a time.

Also read: CKD plans for Kia Carnival in Malaysia pushed to May 2022 due to lockdowns

And priced from RM 196,340, we’d go so far as to say that you’re looking at a better way to spend that amount than a reconditioned Toyota Alphard or Toyota Vellfire.

Styling: Kia says MPVs shouldn't be drab

‘XL’ best describes the Carnival, so don't expect sizes to match small MPVs like the Perodua Alza or Toyota Innova. At 5,155 mm long, 1,775 mm tall, and 1,746 mm wide, it’s even bigger in every aspect than the former YP-generation Kia Grand Carnival.

Also read: Specs confirmed: Alphard-challenging 2022 Kia Carnival, starts from RM 196k

To an extent one may think the car’s key rivals in Malaysia are the Maxus G10 and Hyundai Grand Starex (both priced from RM 166k), but those have their roots in commercial vans, hence their slightly 'rougher' nature. Totally no match for what the Carnival offers.

The Carnival aims at a different tack: it’s one that suits families better, and not just because Dad brought home the company car for the weekend.

Kia has pretty much nailed the look, as it’s one that implies that the business of people-moving needn’t be all so typically boxy and humdrum.

From its eye-catching face that makes brisk work of shooing right-lane hoggers, the textured chrome piece on the C-pillar, the silver highlights here and there, and to the lightbar-esque tail lights, it’s a design that’s dripping in (functional) detail.

The side mirrors feature a little lip on the bottom and three strakes on the sides, both of which helps in reducing the interference between the mirror and wind wake-flow.

Up front it's also got a pair of functional air-curtains, and round the back there's also the patterned C-pillars. Underneath the car is mostly flat, and all of these working in concert results in a cushy, quiet ride.

Interior and features: Just enough

The same sense of well-thought-out-ness carries over inside, with little to fault in terms of build quality, aesthetics, and ergonomics.

The patterned metallic strip (reflecting that of the C-pillar) complements the black and saddle-brown cabin, and while there’s lots of plastic none of it feels fragile or cheap. The colour combination works too; as the cabin feels airier than its predecessor's dark cabin.

Sure the ambiance would’ve been better if we had the Mercedes-esque dual-screen setup like in Carnivals abroad, but for what it’s worth the analogue instrument cluster is easy to look at and the 12.3-inch instrument cluster is zippy, playing nice with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Also read: 2022 Kia Carnival previewed in Malaysia, a worthy challenger against the Alphard?

We also found the wireless charger and multiple USB ports useful, as we did with the large amount of cupholders, big storage spaces, rear air-cond controls, and the 'approach to open' functions of the sliding doors and boot.

Space: Plenty practical for people

Speaking of doors, the Carnival opens up to tremendous space, as ours is the sole 11-seater variant. The arrangement is 2 seats in front, followed by 3 rows of 3 seats each.

The middle seats in the second and third rows can be folded to afford more cupholders (or a tray) but in this position they make for terrible armrests because they're simply too low.

However these can also be pushed away to the side to allow passengers to walk in and out of the last couple of rows.

The low ride height also means that it’s ideal for toddlers and elderly family members to step in/out with minimal assistance.

Also read: Fits your in-laws and more: 11-seat 2022 Kia Carnival open for booking in Malaysia

In the second and third rows, three adults can fit in comfort and all except the fourth row gets excellent head- and legroom.

The last row feels like the back of a two-door car. It’s impossible for adults, but seems perfect for children.

Or you can stow that bench away for useable boot space. Sadly the two other rows ahead of it can't be creatively stored, save for folding them down and pushing them forwards to eke out a little bit more extra space.

Though the leatherette seats themselves are pretty nice to sit in – think breathable materials and soft, supple supports – they’re a bit basic in that every control is manual, let alone having any form of heating or ventilation.

Performance: Planted, surprisingly efficient

MPVs usually don’t do too well here – there’s only so much handling you can get with something shaped like a brick – but the Carnival is different as it has the capabilities to ferry a football team with the footwork to match.

K-car fans will be familiar with the Carnival’s 2.2-litre Smartstream turbodiesel (199 PS/440 Nm) as it’s the same unit that’s in the Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Palisade, and fellow N3 platform mate, the Hyundai Staria. It's traditionally diesel with all the clatter, but don’t mistake it for unrefined: it's a plenty quiet mill on the go.

Also read: Priced from RM 329k, 2022 Hyundai Palisade launched in Malaysia to challenge Mazda CX-9

440 Nm of torque allows quick ‘point-and-shoot’ acceleration for easy overtakes, and the creamy powertrain sees the car get up to speed with an alacrity that belies its 2-tonne kerb weight. Part of that can be credited to its eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s buttery smooth, with borderline seamless shifts.

Further sweetening the deal is that it’ll also be kind to you at the pumps: at the end of our 417 km Glenmarie-Ipoh round trip, the Carnival returned 9.1 litres/100 km, and we weren’t being economical about things either (high speeds, plenty of idling for photos and videos).

Ride quality is majestic, without the over-wallowy feel many MPVs have. Over more obtuse bumps like cat’s eyes there can be a slight bump, but nothing that'll wake up sleeping passengers.

Also read: This over Alphard/Vellfire? Priced from RM 359k, Hyundai Staria launched in Malaysia

Steering feel is light at low speeds but gets progressively heavier when you go faster, which is good because it aids maneuvarability and adds confidence in both situations.

All in all, the Carnival is a good steer, staying predictably planted even at high speeds. Blend that with top-class sound insulation, all-round refinement, and fuel economy, it’s not hard for us to imagine it as a great car for frequent long-distance travels.

Conclusion: It's not perfect, but it's very compelling

Not everything is perfect, and the Carnival certainly isn’t: it misses out on active safety (ADAS, though there's 6 airbags, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert), and some will argue that the lack of heated/ventilated seats and digital instrument cluster makes the Malaysian-spec car look a bit cut-rate.

But what it does have is its unique position in the MPV realm, blending huge space, efficiency, and impressive driving dynamics not seen in any of its reconditioned or new competitors.

It's as clear as day then that Dinamikjaya Motors' Kia offensive here starts on a very convincing beat, and it's even better to know that it's just the start of their ambitious plans for Malaysia. For now, we have the Carnival, an excellent family MPV with no major faults that makes its sub-RM 200k price tag seem more than reasonable.

Also read: 4 new Kia models to Malaysia, EV included - CKD Kia Carnival, Sportage, Sorento, Niro