Cars normally come and go as time goes by. Shinier new names will arrive and it would be a fierce battle to see which of the old names can stick around. Only a few of the models from the early 2000s are still here today and one of them is the Kia Carnival.
The 4th generation version was launched in the Philippines in 2022. Now, Kia is bringing in the facelifted version that stays true to what the Carnival is, while exemplifying the new direction Kia is taking. It received a boost in functionality and safety, while also becoming more stunning from every angle. It still has 2 variants and price starts at PHP 2,888,000.
The new Kia Carnival now utilizes the ‘Opposites United’ design language of Kia that recently won in the 2024 Car Design Awards. In a way, it looks like a modified version of the EV9 and EV5, including the wheels. The tiger-nose grille is still there but it’s bigger and less pronounced. It makes itself distinct from others with the same aesthetic by having the giveaway railings above the rear wheel wells, retaining the jewelry-like garnish on the C-pillar and the lightbar that runs across the width of the tailgate.
At first glance, nothing much has changed in the cabin until you take a closer look. Infront, the panoramic screen in front of the driver is more uniform. The instrument cluster side doesn’t have a bump and it’s fully digital, with both screens measuring 12.3-inches. They removed the design accent on the dashboard that’s similar on the C-pillar, and utilized a new aircon switching system. The strip touch-controls for the aircon now doubles for some vehicle info, reducing the need for more buttons and making things cleaner. They’ve also reduced the gloss black trim on the center console to the shifter housing and used satin black on the console itself. Lastly, the higher SX trim gets Powered Front Seats with Memory and 4-Way Lumbar support.
The second row still has the Captain Seats or Premium Relaxation Seats, depending on the variant. They also have their own Automatic Climate Control, vents, and sunshade. The third-row passengers also get their own shades, cup holders, a charging port, and their seats can sink for flat storage space.
In terms of safety bits, it now has an 8-airbag system compared to the 7 of the previous iteration. It still has Kia Drive Wise with Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Detection, among others.
Under the hood of the Carnival is the same 2.2L Smartstream Turbo Diesel engine that makes 202 PS and 440 Nm of torque, coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Along with that are four drive modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart – for a further custom driving experience.
The new Kia Carnival is available in Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl that’s pictured here, and Ceramic Silver that’s exclusive to the SX variant. It’s priced at PHP 2,888,000 for the EX trim and PHP 3,368,000 for the SX variant. It comes with a 5-year or 160,000km warranty, standard Kia 24/7 Roadside Assistance that includes Emergency Towing, Minor Onsite Repairs, and Medical and Personal Assistance.
