Kia Carnival

Positives:

• It is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 190bhp and 441Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
• It offers smooth gear shifts and ample pulling power for both city and highway driving, ideal for long-distance cruising.
• The three drive modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport – alter responses for either a more dynamic drive experience or improved fuel efficiency.
• The light steering and well-judged handling make U-turns and high-speed driving easier.
• The Kia Carnival has a comfortable ride quality and efficient soundproofing minimises noise within the cabin.

Negatives:

• This engine can feel underpowered at times, especially when fully loaded and driving up a steep incline.
• We suspect the ground clearance may be low (with full load) on rough roads due to the underbody spare wheel placement.
• Its fuel efficiency is lower than expected, with real-world numbers often under 10kmpl in city driving.

Kia Carnival Key Specifications:

Positives:

• The three-zone automatic climate control, dual sunroofs, and auto-dimming IRVM enhance driver and passenger comfort.

• The Carnival is equipped with dual power-sliding doors featuring step illumination for easy entry.

• The luxurious cabin uses high-quality materials and boasts ample space and upscale features for a premium passenger experience.

• There is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a Bose sound system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11-inch heads-up display.

• There’s wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charger, along with Kia Connect and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

• The second-row seats are comfortable, offer dual armrests, have powered seatbacks and can also slide from left to right to aid one’s exit from the vehicle.

• The left second-row seat can recline completely and has control to adjust the front passenger seat.
• The third row has adequate head and knee room for two people and can be easily accessed via the second-row captain seat.

• The bootlid gets hands-free operation and the 540-litre boot capacity expands to 2,900 litres by flat-folding the third-row seats.

Negatives:

• The driver’s visibility around the C-pillar can be restricting and challenging at times.
• The second-row passengers miss out on tray tables or personal rear screens, which are found in cars at a lower price point.
• The seat adjustments can get confusing as the controls are found on either side of the second-row seats.
• The second-row AC controls are placed on the roof (behind the driver) which is not accessible to the driver or the passenger on the left (second-row).

Positives:

• Level 2 ADAS features include forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, blind-spot detection, smart cruise control, and lane keep assist.
• There are eight airbags, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, hill-start assist, and vehicle stability management, which ensure high levels of occupant safety.

Negatives:

• The Kia Carnival has not received any crash test safety ratings from the NCAP agencies.
• The lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control feel intrusive when driving on narrow or congested roads.
• The automatic braking sensitivity requires adjusting, as it can be unexpectedly abrupt at times.

Positives:

• The exterior features Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille with chrome, full LED headlamps, and LED DRLs for a premium look.

• The SUV-like stance with sculpted body lines and large wheels highlights the upscale design.
• The Carnival boasts large connected taillamps and chrome rear detailing, adding a level of sophistication to the overall design.

• Its interior boasts a black-beige theme with brown upholstery, brushed metal accents, ambient lighting, and practical storage spaces for style and functionality.

Negatives:

• The exterior paint shades are limited to only two colour options – black and white – which may not suit all preferences.