The all new Kia Carnival has made landfall early last month and suffice it to say, this highly anticipated MPV may just turn out to be another hit for AC Motors, the new local distributors of the South Korean brand.
Now on its fourth generation, the Kia Carnival, or Sedona in other markets, has proven to be a versatile people mover and cargo hauler over the years. And as each iteration is introduced, the Carnival has slowly moved up-class to feature luxury and comfort appointments that make it more SUV-like than the minivan that it is.
The 2015 Kia Grand Carnival started this trend towards premium and it is safe to say that it will only get better with the All-New Carnival, yes minus the “Grand”, slated to launch on Feb. 17. With more tech, enhanced convenience and elevated riding comfort, this latest MPV from Kia can very well find itself in the garages of the discerning family.
To save you a trip or two to a Kia showroom, we have compiled some of the most notable features to expect from this soon to be introduced MPV from Kia Philippines.
Bigger dimensions
The All-New Carnival will be wider and longer than the outgoing model. Overall length is up by 40 millimeters even though the front overhang is shorter by 20 mm. Most of the newfound real estate is located in the stretched wheelbase which is up by 30mm from before. This means more space inside for passengers as the 2022 Kia Carnival aims to be more comfortable in ergonomics and ride than its predecessor.
The extra space also benefits the third row seats as 24 mm more legroom is realized. This also translates to more cargo space behind the third row as the extended 72 mm length allows for 179 liters more of cargo volume behind the third row.
Kia says that the All-New Carnival has the most cargo space in its class. And with the 26 mm lower loading height, it will be more convenient to drop in those boxes or suitcases when the need arises.
New sophisticated design
Kia design has been on a roll lately. The new look of the All-New Carnival features a wider and more modern rendition of the brand’s tiger-nose grille. The A-pillar has been moved backwards to reveal a longer hood. Slimmer Dual LED headlights and a new, lightning bolt-like Daytime Running Light layout gives this Carnival generation a more imposing, modern and technical presence on the road.
From the side, an eye-catching chrome fin C-pillar accent, with a diamond-like design pattern similar to the all-new Kia Sorento, distinguishes it from the outgoing model. This is complemented by the new 19-inch wheels to be introduced in the All-New Carnival.
Inside, the same diamond-pattern is reflected on the metallic accents that highlight the new wrap-around dashboard. Improved materials and a more edgy design inside with slits for air conditioning vents differentiate the new Carnival from the old.
A new floating 8-inch infotainment head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard along with wireless mobile phone charging. However, we will not see the dual-screen infotainment that combines a pair of 12.3-inch screens in the instrument cluster and audio system found in higher-specification variants in other markets. Neither will we see the dial-type gear selector which was supposed to make the Carnival’s interiors more futuristic. Instead, the analogue cluster and a 4.2-inch LCD will be retained. At least the air conditioning controls have transitioned to touch, losing the buttons and dials of the previous generation.
The All-New Carnival features smarter packaging and a list of amenities that make every journey relaxing: 8-way power seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment, memory and cooling are standard along with dual sunroofs located in the second and third rows.
Immediately obvious would be the captain’s chair seating configuration in the second row. But for 2022, this new SX variant of the Kia Carnival will feature so-called Relaxation Seats. These are basically leather captain’s chairs that have power reclining controls, extra cushioning, extending leg rests, as well as seat cooling functions aside from the standard in the range fore, aft and lateral sliding.
More tech and convenience
Kia aims to make the All-New Carnival futuristic. Despite the omission of some crucial design elements such as the widescreen displays, it still opted to fit in the essentials of modern day mobility.
New Smart Sliding Doors and a Smart Tailgate system where one only needs to walk close to the doors for them to automatically open will be included as a new feature. It even features a one-touch open and close function for the three doors as well as remote start/stop via the key fob. Think of these features as neat party tricks that will be great talking points during family reunions.
Six USB charging ports are positioned from the first to third rows. Two of them mounted at the back of the front seats for easier access to second row occupants. Six cup holders and six more bottle holders are ready to hold drinks over long journeys. Second and third row passengers of the All-New Carnival will have access to air-conditioning with their very own controls.
Enhanced safety
But perhaps the biggest improvement in the upcoming Kia Carnival is the host of safety features the local product planners managed to include in the new model. Seven airbags are standard, along with new driver assistance features such as cruise control, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, parking sensors, Multi Collision Brake System, Hill-start Assist Control, and Trailer Stability Assist. A 360-degree camera is also included.
The All-New Carnival will also feature Rear Occupant Alert that reminds the driver something may be in the rear seat as it detects the doors opening and closing. And the car will also prevent the opening of the sliding doors if it detects an oncoming vehicle from behind, perfect for kids who may not look before they open the doors.
All these new technologies which make use of cameras and sensors make the All-New Carnival smarter, more convenient, intuitive and safer to drive.
The All-New Carnival will continue to be motivated by the 2.2-liter Smartstream CRDi Variable Geometry Turbo engine. It will still have an 8-speed automatic selecting the gears. But now with Motor Driven Power Steering, this next generation Carnival with its lighter yet stronger chassis should be easier and more relaxing to drive.
And so we come to the price. With all these features, Kia Philippines is expecting customers to put out P2.988 million for the All-New Carnival. We say, not bad, especially when you see higher-spec gray market offerings already in the P3.4 million range. And if you compare it with similarly priced SUVs, having a family-hauler with a different and more comfortable MPV platform may be the deciding factor for your purchase.
For a family vehicle, it is a well-rounded and decently kitted offering for the price. Matched with Kia reliability and a well-entrenched dealer network, purchasing the All-New Carnival might be a decent post-Valentine’s gift to your family this 2022.
