Kia Carnival Hybrid

Big thanks to Dom at Cycle & Carriage! He made my car buying experience so easy and stress-free. Super patient with all my questions and always followed up promptly. Couldn't have asked for a better salesperson!

Finally got my hands on the 2025 Kia Carnival, and honestly, I'm really impressed. It doesn't feel like a typical "Family van" At all â€" more like an SUV with extra space. The new design looks sharp, and the interior feels premium and super comfortable. There's tons of room for the whole family, and the sliding doors make squeezing into HDB carparks a breeze.

I went for the hybrid version, and so far it's been smooth, quiet, and much better on fuel â€" a big plus with prices here. Ride comfort is great too, though it can feel a little firm on rough roads.

Also have to give a huge shoutout to Dominic Wong, my sales consultant. He was outstanding throughout â€" super professional, patient, and genuinely warm. Really took the time to explain the details, handled everything smoothly, and made the whole experience easy and pleasant. It's rare to find that level of service these days.

Only minor downsides â€" it's still a big car to park, and there's no AWD option. But overall, I'm very happy with the purchase. If you're looking for a practical, versatile, and stylish family ride, the Carnival is definitely worth checking out â€" and if you go to Kia, look for Dominic!

A great family car packed with plenty of safety driving features and good turning ratio that make it easy to maneuver and handle especially since it is rather wide and long.

Very comfortable drive with a good amount of storage nooks.

Car interior is sensible and practical but really nicely decked out with visually pleasant detailing.

Plenty of additional perks like wireless charging and abundant USB c ports for drivers and passengers, cup holders, aircon control for passengers, ventilated seats and more.

As a parent with young children, I appreciate the ease to disable & re-enable features like opening of back sunroof & passengers aircon toggling, plus the non-auto-unlocking of doors.

Its also cool that the 2nd row of seats can be changed to back facing seats.

Finally the fuel efficiency without the loss of power makes it a great choice for shuttling around.

Currently the only negative would be the non automated closure of the sunshade but its really not a big deal.

**highly recommend a test drive with Dom Wong (91161170) from Kia! Non pushy, frank, very patient with great after sales service.

I've been driving the Kia Carnival for the past two months, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The car offers a perfect balance of comfort, space, and performance, making it ideal for both family trips and daily commutes. The ride is smooth, the features are well thought out, and the overall driving experience has exceeded my expectations.

A special mention to Dom Wong, who provided exceptional service throughout the buying process. His professionalism, knowledge, and attentiveness made the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. He was patient in addressing my queries, ensured a smooth handover, and went the extra mile to make sure I was fully satisfied with my purchase.

Highly recommend both the Kia Carnival and Dom Wong for anyone considering this vehicle. Truly a five-star experience!

Lots of features, good insulation, smooth ride, tons of internal space. Car also looks good. Only issue is that it is very long and wide... Parking is a chore everytime in Singapore carparks, have to rely on a lot of safety sensors to park.

Special shout out and kudos to Dom Wong of C&C Kia for his professionalism and friendly advices.

My Kia Carnival took delivery in 11/24.

Performance & Driving Experience

The vehicle's power is impressive. Despite its large size, it doesn't feel underpowered, providing a smooth and confident driving experience. The car weighs 2.4 tons, yet it remains agile on the road.

One pleasant surprise is that U-turns can be completed smoothly in a three-lane road, which makes maneuvering in urban areas much more convenient than expected.

Size & Maneuverability

The car is quite large, which was initially intimidating to drive. However, the 360-degree camera system significantly enhances the driving experience, especially when parking or navigating through narrow roads. It provides excellent visibility and support, making tight maneuvers much easier.

Recently, I took the Kia Carnival on a trip to JB, crossing both the SG and MY immigration checkpoints with ease. Initially, I was concerned that the checkpoints might be too narrow, posing a risk of scraping the sides. However, the clearance was sufficient, and passing through was stress-free. On the highway, the ride was smooth and stable, providing a comfortable journey. Passengers in the second and third rows also enjoyed a spacious and relaxing experience without feeling cramped.

Accessibility

One downside is the relatively high ride height, which makes it difficult for elderly passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. I am considering installing side steps to improve accessibility.

Infotainment System

The in-car system has some issues. Occasionally, Apple CarPlay fails to connect, but after a few days, it automatically reconnects without any intervention. This inconsistency is a bit frustrating.

AC System

I typically set the AC to 24-25°C based on my usual preference. However, I've noticed that the AC sometimes stops working and doesn't cool properly at this setting. Strangely, at other times, it functions normally under the same settings. When I consulted C&C, they advised lowering the temperature to 22-23°C for more consistent cooling performance.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Kia Carnival is a well-performing, spacious, and comfortable MPV with great driving assistance features. The smooth ride, ample space, and stable handling make it an excellent choice for both city driving and long road trips. However, minor issues with the infotainment and AC system could be improved for a better user experience.

Picked up my new carnival hybrid after 4 weeks of driving my parents' Mercedes GLE and the Carnival can hold its own. The sound insulation, stability, ease of driving (even though the vehicle is big) is great and has made me and my family very happy. A big thanks to Dom Wong from C&C for all the advice and support given.

We recently took delivery of the new Kia Carnival 1.6 A HEV. This is a hybrid and 8 seater MPV. After one week of driving, we are happy that the Kia Carnival offers a smooth and comfortable drive. With its many safety features and sturdy chassis, it provided us confidence in our rides. The interior of the Carnival offers generous legroom, especially on the third row, has excellent noise insulation and provides a large boot space even with the third row not stowed away. The smart sliding doors has made getting in and out effortless.

In addition, we experienced excellent customer service from our Kia Sales Rep, Mr Dom Wong, who is attentive and reliable. He is also highly knowledgeable about the Kia Carnival and its features, explaining everything clearly and answering all questions with confidence and patience.

Overall, our buying experience is pleasant and the Kia Carnival is an excellent family vehicle with comfortable space for 8 passengers, solidly built for safety and offers friendly family-oriented features.

ST