While most people announce specs followed by the pricing of new vehicles, Kia’s gone the other way around by revealing the pricing for the locally-assembled (CKD) Kia Carnival before finally unveiling the complete specifications of the MPV.

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The CKD version of the three-row, 7- or 8-seater is now officially open for bookings by Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd, the new distributor for the brand in Malaysa. This makes the Carnival the first Kia model assembled locally at the Inokom Assembly plant located in Kulim, Kedah, under the new distributorship. Rumour has it though that the Sorento will be the next model in line for local assembly at the plant.

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Pricing for the CKD Carnival is as follows:

As the fourth generation of the brand’s flagship MPV, the new Carnival carries the marque’s signature ‘tiger face’ that integrates seamlessly with the equally iconic ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Part of the CKD equipment includes newly added driving comfort features that comprises LED combination taillights and a 12-speaker Bose sound system that’s standard across all variants.

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The Carnival offers unique and innovative features that makes for more convenient and safer motoring. These include the Smart Power Sliding doors and Smart Power Liftgate, as well as the Smart Key with one-button open/close functionality for rear sliding doors and tailgate. Other standard options include 18-inch alloy wheels, dual LED headlights and LED DRLs.

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In the cabin, there’s a 12.3-inch high-res LCD touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging and houses seven USB ports.

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As for the variant’s additional enhancement, the 2.2D 8-seater High and 2.2D 7-seater High get equipped with heated and ventilated seats while the driver’s is a little extra with a memory function as well.

There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, LED cabin lamps, surround view monitor and dual powered sunroofs. The 7-seater High variant is equipped with leather seats and premium relaxion seats with a centre walkthrough seat configuration that provides ease of access and comfort for 2nd-row passengers.

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Safety is of the utmost concern and Kia is committed to help keep drivers safe on the road. The Carnival 2.2D 8-seater High and 7-seater High is now equipped with newly added advanced safety features such as:

• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Blind-Spot Collison-Avoidance (BCA)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Active Cruise Control

Apart from active safety, the Carnival is built with a lighter and stronger platform from hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel for increased average tensile strength and torsional stiffness, giving better driving dynamics and providing a safer cabin in the event of a collision.

Also Read: Price confirmed: 2022 CKD Kia Carnival open for booking, from RM 231k to RM 261k

The improved aerodynamics from wheels, front bumpers and mirrors contributes to achieve better fuel efficiency. Powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, the Carnival delivers a healthy 199 PS and 440 Nm of torque to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic controlled by an electronic rotary shifter. Peak torque arrives at a very usable range between 1,750 - 2,750 rpm for a smooth driving experience.

The colour line-up includes Astra Blue, Sonic Silver, Jet Black, Snowflake White Pearl and Meteor Gray. It’s now officially open for booking and comes with a 5-year / 100,000 km manufacturer warranty. There’s also a 5-year / 100,000 km free scheduled maintenance package included.