Kia Philippines announces the arrival of the fourth-generation Kia Carnival to kick off this year’s long list of new cars to launch in the country. The all-new model has made its debut in South Korea in 2020, so it’s about time that the company brings in the posh minivan for the Filipino market.
Even better, the all-new minivan is now on our shores, courtesy of photos sent by the company itself to the members of the media.
So what’s new with the Kia Carnival? First off, we can’t deny that the minivan now sports an SUV styling – far from the sedate design of the outgoing model. The automaker bestows it with a new moniker, calling it a Grand Utility Vehicle.
This move should set the Carnival apart from its class contemporaries, along with unique styling elements that are claimed to make the van look taller, wider, and more versatile.
Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille is revised slightly on the new Carnival, with body-color inserts serving as the upper and lower notches. The LED headlights are adorned with zig-zag DRL accents, reminiscent of the stylish Seltos crossover, giving the front end an aggressive appearance.
On the side, the A-, B-, and D-pillars give the roof a floating appearance, while the cantilevered C-pillar gives the Carnival a distinctive, premium aura. At the rear, the LED taillights are connected to each other for that somewhat Lincoln Aviator look. The PH-spec Carnival also comes with a power tailgate.
While not shown in the provided images by the company, the global-spec Carnival comes with a typical Kia layout on the dashboard. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen both measure 12.3 inches, expected to carry the brand’s latest software.
Despite being a minivan, the Carnival does have a broad center console for ample storage spaces. We’re yet to know whether the local-spec Carnival will get the two-tone cabin theme that the international version has.
Initial interior specs provided include second-row seats (with ottoman leg rest) with all-power adjustment and ventilation, automated sliding sunroof, premium audio system (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) that’s said to deliver an immersive sound experience. Seating capacity for the PH-spec model hasn’t been disclosed, but we’re waging that we’ll be getting the 8-seater version.
Kia Philippines is still mum on the details under the hood. Globally, there are three engine options available, which include two V6 mills and a newly-developed diesel. We’ll probably get the 2.2-liter four-cylinder oil-burner that makes a healthy 200hp and 440Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
According to Kia Philippines, the 2022 Carnival will reach dealerships within the first quarter of this year. However, some dealerships are eager to share some pricing information, which will be P2,988,000 for a lone SX variant. Some say that a more affordable EX variant will be offered as well, but that’s still unconfirmed at this point.