Kia Carnival

Highly sought-after, Kia’s latest release (2026), the new Kia Carnival (fourth-generation), upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

A D-segment (MPV) runner, it comes with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powertrain (diesel) and two seating configurations (11-seater, seven-seater).

Locally assembled (CKD – Kedah), available via Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM) are two variants (2.2D 11-Seater – RM189,849, 2.2D 7-Seater – RM249,849).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) include a manufacturer warranty (five years/150,000 km).

Exterior (single-tone) colours (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater: Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Meteor Grey, Astra Blue). Interior (dual-tone) colours (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater: Black-Beige).

The new Carnival has an angularly rounded and tiered dashboard, linked to a wide-high-rising centre console (armrest, storage, wireless charger, rotary gear selector).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees upholstery (leatherette) and contrast panels (Gloss Black, Aluminium) in one colour scheme (Black-Beige).

Equipped are driver/central displays (single floating unit: instrument cluster, infotainment), air-conditioning system (vents: rectangular – controls: capacitive touch) and an ambient lighting system (multi-colour).

Inclusively, the layout is ergonomic (functional) and straight-forward with accessibilities purposefully arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented). 

Part of a single-pane-floating unit, installed is a 12.3-inch HD TFT-LCD (Thin-Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display) fully digital (Multi-Information Display – MID) driver display (instrument cluster) with a Head-Up Display (HUD – 2.2D 7-Seater). 

Features are vehicle telematics, Bluetooth, navigation, voice recognition and customisable interface (drive mode dependent).

Comfortable, the interior sees two seating configurations (11-seater: 2-3-3-3 - seven-seater: 2-2-3) with leatherette (2.2D 11-Seater) and leather (2.2D 7-Seater) upholsteries in one colour scheme (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater: Black).

The first row gets electronic-powered (2.2D 11-Seater: driver-passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-lumbar – 2.2D 7-Seater: driver-passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-lumbar, driver-ventilation-heating) ergonomic seats.

The second row gets manual-operated (2.2D 11-Seater: 40:20:40 split-fold, centre-walkthrough-fold, centre-folded-seat-table) bolstered bench (three-seater) and electronic-powered (2.2D 7-Seater: multi-way-adjust, lumbar, ottoman, ventilation-heating, centre-walkthrough, long-lateral sliding, memory) ‘Relaxion Seats’ (captain seats – individual seats).

The third row gets a manual-operated (2.2D 11-Seater: 40:20:40 split-fold, centre-walkthrough-fold, centre-folded-seat-table – 2.2D 7-Seater: 60:40 split-fold, pop-up, sinking) bolstered bench (three-seater).

The fourth row gets a manual-operated (2.2D 11-Seater: 100:100 full-fold, pop-up, sinking) bolstered bench (three-seater).

Included are headrests (first row, second row, third row, fourth row), armrests (first row – centre console, second row – individual, third row/fourth row – side panels, centre fold-out) and sunshade (second row, third row).

A people mover (MPV), the cabin (11-seater, seven-seater) offers generous space with comfortable seatings, providing ample interior mobility for the occupants (first, second, third row, fourth row).

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Practical storage spaces. E.g., glove box, centre console compartments (armrest, partitioned, caverned) and pockets (seat backs, side doors).

Mounted is a three-spoke-round steering wheel. Leather (Premium: Black-Brown – Luxury: Black) with contrast trims (Aluminium, Gloss Black).

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, media, voice recognition, vehicle telematics), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic) and paddle shifters.

Drive is aided by a Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system (turning radius: 5.8 m).

Multiple cup and bottle holders provided (first row, second row, third row, fourth row).

Equipped are six USB ports (two: first row, second row, third row), two 12 V sockets (first row, second row) and one wireless charger (centre console).

Accessing the boot’s (Smart Power Tailgate) electronic-powered (handsfree: kick-sensor, remote-key fob, interior/tailgate button – electric-suction-close) tailgate, opens to 56 litres (seats up: first row, second row, third row, fourth row – 2.2D 11-Seater), 627 litres (seats up: first row, second row, third row – 2.2D 7-Seater), 2,689 litres (seats down: fourth row – 2.2D 11-Seater) and 2,827 litres (seats down: third row – 2.2D 7-Seater) of load capacities.

Weighing in at 2,129 kg (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater), the new Carnival stands at 5,155 mm long, 1,995 mm wide, 1,775 mm tall and with a wheelbase spanning 3,090 mm.

Commandingly bold, it parades a largely boxy exterior, emphasised by symmetrically cut and angularly rounded surfaces.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet (raised sides, Kia emblem), tapered quarter panels (flared fenders) and an upright bumper (Kia’s ‘Tiger Nose’ grille: square interlocking inserts – vents: full-width lower – bumper guard).

Accentuations, body clad (Chrome: bumper guard, side sill inserts – Black: bumper lip, side sills) and body trims (Chrome: grille surround, Kia emblem – Black: grille inserts, vents, side mirror arms, window surrounds, A-/B-/C-pillars – body-colour: side mirror caps, door handles – Black-Chrome: roof rails).

Commandingly wide, it continues the largely boxy profile, emphasised by cleanly cut surfaces and horizontally symmetrical lines.

The rear-end sees a straight cut roofline (roof-edge spoiler, shark fin antenna), tapered quarter panels (flared fenders), an upright tailgate (middle slim strip, Kia emblem, Carnival script) and a covered bumper (bumper guard, hidden exhausts).

Accentuations, body clad (Chrome: bumper guard, side sill inserts – Black: bumper lip, side sills) and body trims (Chrome: tailgate middle slim strip, C-pillars, Kia emblem, Carnival script – Black: window surrounds, B-/C-/D-pillars – body-colour: roof-edge spoiler, shark fin antenna, door handles – Black-Chrome: roof rails).

Angular vertical, the headlamps are framed largely slim and inverted L-shape. Installed are full LED (projectors) units.

Features are automatic On/Off/low-/high-beam/cornering/levelling, Kia’s ‘Star Map’ Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), High Beam Assist (HMA – 2.2D 7-Seater), welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Angular slim, the tail lamps are framed full width (lightbar) with angularly wrapped-around vertical sides. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome/leaving lights, Kia’s ‘Star Map’ light graphic and sequential turn signals (LED). Included is a high-mounted stop light (roof-edge spoiler integrated).

The side mirrors (dual-tone: Black-body-colour) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with turn signals (LED) and blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist: BCA – 2.2D 7-Seater).

Fitted are ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes. Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Mounted are sets of 18-inch turbine-spoke (dual-tone: Black-Silver – 2.2D 11-Seater) and 19-inch cubic-spoke (dual-tone: Black-Silver – 2.2D 7-Seater) alloy rims. 

The sets are wrapped in 235/60 R18 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV (front, rear – 2.2D 11-Seater) and 235/55 R19 Goodyear Assurance MaxGuard SUV (front, rear – 2.2D 7-Seater) tyres.

The new Carnival features the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped (2.2D 7-Seater) are Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Go(SCC-S/G), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) and High Beam Assist (HBA).

Other systems (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater) include Surround View Monitor (SVM – 360-degree), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control System (TCS), Multi Collision Brake Control (HAC), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes eight (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front-centre, front sides, front-rear curtains, rear windscreen) airbags, seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (two: second row), parking sensors (two: front, side, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), rear-view mirrors (exterior: BCA – interior: automatic-dimming), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/cornering/low-/high-beam), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch up/down), door ajar warning, impact beams (side, front), emergency brake signal and anti-theft system (security alarm, immobiliser).

Enabled (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater) are four drive modes (ECO, NORMAL, SPORT, SMART).

Part of a single-pane-floating unit, installed is a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

Features are AM/FM radio, USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), media, navigation, voice recognition, customisable interface (drive mode dependent) and vehicle telematics (drive).

Entertainment is channelled via a standard sound system (six speakers – 2.2D 11-Seater) and a Bose premium audio system (12 speakers – 2.2D 7-Seater).

The new Carnival (2.2D 11-Seater, 2.2D 7-Seater) comes with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powertrain.

Nestled is a (D4HE) Smartstream 2.2-litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve Turbocharged Common Rail Direct-Injection (T-CRDi) DOHC diesel engine (202 PS, 440 Nm).

Fused to the setup is an eight-speed (e-shift) automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to the front wheels, via a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system.

Fuel tank capacity is at 72 litres, and the combined fuel consumption (driving: city, highway) is rated at 6.5 l/100 km (NEDC).

The new Carnival features these conveniences.

E.g., Smart Entry System (keyless entry, engine Start/Stop button, remote engine start, power sliding doors), electronic-powered (handsfree: kick-sensor, remote-key fob, interior/tailgate button – electric-suction-close) tailgate, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/cornering/low-/high-beam), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch up/down), door ajar warning, parking sensors (two: front, side, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), rear-view mirrors (exterior: BCA – interior: automatic-dimming), interior illumination (LED: cabin/boot/ambient), dual-zone (front) and single-zone (rear) automatic climate control (rear air vents, dedicated controls) systems, steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments, paddles shifters, MDPS), electronic-powered (2.2D 11-Seater: driver-passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-lumbar – 2.2D 7-Seater: driver-passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-lumbar, driver-ventilation-heating) ergonomic seats (first row), manual-operated (2.2D 11-Seater: 40:20:40 split-fold, centre-walkthrough-fold, centre-folded-seat-table) bolstered bench (second row), electronic-powered (2.2D 7-Seater: multi-way-adjust, lumbar, ottoman, ventilation-heating, centre-walkthrough, long-lateral sliding, memory) ‘Relaxion Seats’ (captain seats – individual seats – second row), headrests (first row, second row, third row, fourth row), armrests (first row – centre console, second row – individual, third row/fourth row – side panels, centre fold-out), sunshade (second row, third row), interior storage areas (centre console compartments, seat/door pockets), charging outlets (USBs, power sockets, wireless charger), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Installed are dual-zone (front) and single-zone (rear) automatic climate control (rear air vents, dedicated controls) systems.

A suitable daily driver, the ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time, providing great power with agile handling.

Suspension fitted is a setup of MacPherson struts (front) and multi-link (rear). 

Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The cabin is well-designed, enhancing the in-car ambience.

Overall, the cabin can suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, even when cruising through bumpy terrains or at high speeds. 

The new Kia Carnival is built with a commandingly dynamic appeal, offering appearance, space and practicality.

Bold and sleekly sculpted, its exterior is well-designed with angularly rounded lines donating to a powerful overall character. 

Inside and out, the quality of the equipment installed is impressive with clean and modern detailing.

Ultimately, the new Carnival bargains more than just good looks, as it also offers plenty of other amenities at the price it comes with.