Kia Carnival 7-seater review: Alphard's car-like alternative (2023)

The 7-seater Kia Carnival 2.2D High Spec is probably the best minivan on the market.

The Malaysian market is no stranger to the Kia Carnival. This large people car has been around since its inception as the Naza Ria, but the latest version is a much more impressive vehicle than any of its predecessors in every way.

Now in its fourth generation and rebranded by Dinamikjaya Motors, the Kia Carnival is a much more exclusive, well-designed, technologically advanced and sophisticated vehicle. In addition, it sits on the Hyundai-Kia N3 platform, giving it an exceptionally car-like driving feel.

The latest Carnival I assembled in Malaysia was powered by a 2.2L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine. There are four variants and the one we are discussing in this review is High spec with a 7 seater setup. This version is likely aimed at middle-class households with large families, but could serve as a chauffeur-driven luxury sedan replacement for those who do a lot of long-distance business travel.

EFFICIENCY

A good place to start when it comes to the drivetrain of the latest Carnival. It's quite a conventional yet modern combination. The "Smartstream" engine itself is all-aluminum, making it 38kg lighter than the 2.2-liter diesel engine found in many other Hyundai-Kia SUVs and minivans, including the previous Carnival model. With 199 hp and 440 Nm of torque, combined with a smooth-shifting 8-speed conventional automatic transmission, the Kia Carnival moves effortlessly even when fully loaded. It's practically the best combination of refinement, durability, fuel economy and power you could ask for in a vehicle of this class.

You're not really encouraged to step very hard on the accelerator because the diesel goes from quiet to present very quickly. That said, the new Carnival performs very well for a vehicle of this size. The driving character is definitely more personal than an MPV and I like that because it is also very comfortable with a well-cushioned suspension. The quality of the interior in our test car was also world-class. Despite having a cabin full of seats, seat belts and plastic panels, there was no creaking or rattling sound.

Does it have weaknesses like an MPV? Of course. If you regularly carry people in the third row, the tall roofline of the Toyota Vellfire and even the Nissan Serena will make getting in and out easier. This is despite the very welcome dual drive sliding doors and center aisle. However as an MPV owner I can say that most of the time 6 out of 7 seats are empty on 90% of my trips. In this sense, Kia has achieved a pretty good compromise, providing enough comfort and convenience for all passengers, but also giving the owner a vehicle that drives and looks like something more elegant than a typical commuter car.

PROJECT

This generation of Kia products is undoubtedly some of the best we've seen from the company. Carnival is no exception. They took the formula from the outgoing model and made things cleaner, sharper and sleeker. It looks sleek inside and out and has a lot of rugged character that MPVs usually lack.

Focus on it 4^czthe generation model made the experience more premium and i think they did an amazing job. All in all, the new Carnival is a beautiful thing that exudes masculinity – a rare design feature in the MPV segment. Zoom in on the details and you'll discover that a skillful hand has created three-dimensional surfaces where you least expect them. The satin metallic finish on the C-pillars has a jewel texture, the front grille is slightly concave, and virtually every body line and panel gap is part of the vehicle's design language. The 18-inch two-tone wheels also look good, although not the most dynamic from Kia.

The brown and black look of the interior is a rare splash of color in a sea of ​​black interiors. The middle row of seats is exceptionally well reinforced with a thick headrest cushion and plush cushions. The seats themselves can recline and are ventilated. There are two skylights that let in some light, ceiling fans, double sliding doors and enough outlets to charge all your devices (7 USB-A and 2x12V).

Even with all three rows of seats occupied, the trunk is good with a large cut-out to accommodate at least two suitcases and a few extra pieces of luggage. Passengers in the front have a lot to look at. This variant gets two digital displays for the infotainment system and instrumentation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available here.

Design is a true Kia Carnival victory. It's hard to name something that looks as good on the market. It's not as cosmic and futuristic as Staria, but it's also more versatile.

VALUE

when 4^czWhen the Kia Carnival generation made its debut in Malaysia for the first time, it's safe to say that it left its mark. It was an unexpected success, and it's not hard to see why. The same impressive driving dynamics were there, and the kit list was extensive. The value proposition is a bit murky with these new CKD models, but we believe the price is still more than fair.

The Kia Carnival was priced at less than RM200,000 when it arrived fully imported from South Korea as11-seater medium specvehicle. This locally assembled version has 7 seats and costs RM 261,228. Part of this price difference is due to the absurdity of our tax structure, but there are actually many other differences between the two options as well.

First of all, the 2 seats in the middle of this trim are not ordinary seats. They are KiaRelaxventilated "captain" seats with individual armrests, extendable thigh support and full recline for a business-class feel. Some adjustments must be made by hand, but typical adjustments are electrically powered. It is also the only Carnival variant where some seat covers are made of genuine leather.

There are also plenty of other upgrades over the 11 seater if you're really wondering where that RM60,000 price difference comes from. Here is the list:

• LED rear light with distinctive graphics
• Double electric sunroofs
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Full LED interior lighting
• 4-way lumbar adjustment of the driver's seat
• 12-speaker BOSE sound system
• 360 degree parking camera

Finally, these higher specification Carnival models also come with a full ADAS package which includes features such as High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Collision Avoidance in front of. Assistant, Lane Keeping Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control. Yes, quite a lot. Many of these features are unlikely to be used. Some may even be disabled. But if any of them help prevent just one collision, it has fully paid for itself.

Also, in a larger market, there are really few options available with such an extensive list of standard equipment, which includes a power tailgate, Qi wireless charger, etc.

In one sentence, this Kia Carnival variant is one of the most complete passenger car packages available to Malaysians and lacks the image and handling issues associated with this type of vehicle.

Kia Carnival 2.2D 7-seater high spec

Engine: 4-in-line, 16-valve, DOHC, turbodiesel
Capacity: 2151cc
Transmission: 8-speed conventional automatic
Maximum power: 199 hp at 3800 rpm
Maximum torque: 440 Nm at 1750 rpm
Dinner: RM261,228

Tag: Carnival,come now,carnival in Kia

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