Verdict
Not so long ago, diesel power offered an important edge - substantially lower cost of fuel, incredibly long range, and a healthy amount of low-end torque. But in today's context, you can net all these benefits without experiencing the potential downsides of a diesel car. All you need is hybrid technology, and that is what Kia has done.
The new Kia Carnival Hybrid trades in its 2.2-litre diesel engine for a cleaner and greener 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that is assisted by an electric motor. And it even picked up more power along the way!
With its massive new 'Tiger Nose' grille, framed by LED strips that traces the squarish bonnet and hugging its angular-shaped main beams, the handsome new Carnival Hybrid is easy to identify. Afterall, its design language has now been updated to match the futuristic looking siblings in Kia's stable, such as the EV9 and Sorento Hybrid.
Inside, the Carnival Hybrid has received a modern refresh, now featuring a single panel that houses twin 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard, replacing the analogue gauges that the pre-facelift had. It also comes with Kia's intuitive switchable LCD control panel that alternates between climate control and media control functions at the touch of a button.
With the seven-seater variant, you'll get cushy captain chairs on the second row, while still having sufficient aisle space between to get to the useable last row with plentiful legroom - even for adult occupants. With its 627-litre boot, the Kia Carnival is perfect for a family of seven and two to three full-sized luggage.
If space and practicality are what you are searching for, the Kia Carnival Hybrid will do it all for you, all while offering a sumptuous level of equipment and excellent build quality too.