Kia Launches The All-New 'Grand' Carnival in Singapore; Retailing From S$205,999

After its reveal in South Korea last year, the all-new Carnival has finally made its grand entrance into the Kia Singapore showroom. It now offers even more space and safety nets for the whole family.

Kia has sold more than two million Carnivals worldwide ever since its first introduction to the market in 1998. The fourth-generation Carnival aims to set new standards by tapping on modern technology and design language.

The firm also believes that it will stand out in the MPV category by calling it a "Grand Utility Vehicle" (GUV).

Exterior

As the saying goes, "out with the old, in with the new". The new Carnival has received a major update to its exterior, and it seems like the designers at Kia broke some rules to this grand MPV.

The SUV-inspired form sees a shorter front overhang and longer wheelbase than its predecessor, as well as bold wheel arches and sharp lines to bring out its premium, sporty look.

At the front, the signature tiger-nose grille has been enlarged while keeping Kia's 'symphonic architecture' alive. The integration of the grille and the LED daytime running light at the sides have given the car a confident look with its unique light structure.

The revolutionary SUV-inspired design of the Carnival continues at the rear, blending a metallic lower skid plate together with a full-width light bar, giving it a more robust appearance.

Spacious and comfortable interior

Kia has generously extended the wheelbase by 40mm in length (5,155mm) and the rear overhang by 30mm to create even more space for third-row passengers.

The longer rear overhang also increases the cargo space to 627 litres even when the third-row seats are up, a total of 2,827 litres with only the first row seats in use.

The Carnival is comparably more spacious than current rivals in the same category.

There are two configurations for customers to choose from: seven or eight-seat options.

Seven-seat offers premium captain seats for second-row passengers; it has seat ventilation and a one-touch relaxation mode that automatically reclines. This maximizes the 'business-class' experience on a long journey.

On the other hand, the eight-seater offers more flexible seating arrangements. You'll be able to rotate the middle seat by 180 degrees to accommodate a child safety seat in Child Car mode.

The second-row seats can also be removed entirely to afford even more legroom for rear passengers.

Fun fact: Kia offers an 11-seater configuration in other parts of the world.

Cutting-edge technology

The new Carnival comes loaded with several tech features for the driver and passengers to enjoy.

The front row gets ventilated seats and a high-tech 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display that comes with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity.

It even allows everyone on board to stay connected on the go, with a wireless charging tray at the front and USB charging points for second-row passengers.

Safety Features

The Carnival features Kia's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), make it relaxing, secure, and confidence-inspiring to drive. It also reduces many of the inherent hazards and stresses of driving.

The ADAS features include:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA).

Another additional feature that the Carnival gets is the Safe Exit Assist (SEA) technology. It prevents the powered sliding doors from opening if the system detects a car approaching from behind on either side.

For the drive

The new Carnival gets an 8-speed automatic transmission mated to a new Smartstream 2.2L Diesel engine under the hood and is one of the cleanest diesel units that Kia has ever made.

It is capable of handling 199 brake horsepower at 3,800 rpm and churns out 440Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm to 2,750 rpm.

The new engine replaces its predecessor's cast-iron block with an aluminium one, saving 20kg in weight. Furthermore, it features a range of measures that reduce friction, aid cooling, enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

The Carnival is now available in standard SX Tech Pack trim level with the seven-seater option retailing from $211,999, while the eight-seater starts from $205,999.

What do you think about the overall design of this premium Grand Utility Vehicle? Share with us your first impression below.

Visit Cycle & Carriage to find out more!

Prices are accurate at the time of writing.

Read More: First Drive: The New Manual-Only Suzuki Swift Sport Mild Hybrid

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