The all new Kia Carnival is fully revealed for the first time, heralding the arrival of the brand's fourth generation flagship minivan.
Sold in many markets worldwide as the Kia Sedona, the new Carnival has been designed to appeal to progressive young families through its leading combination of innovation, space, flexibility and style.
Its new SUV-inspired design is matched with a modern new interior with a range of technologies designed to assist drivers, while protecting and entertaining occupants. Intelligent packaging over three or even four rows, class-leading cargo capacity, and a range of storage areas throughout the cabin also make it an immensely practical option for families.
The design of the new Carnival presents a concept focusing on two essential points. First, as a minivan with a great exterior design that feels like a premium SUV bringing a stronger and more stylish presence to the MPV segment as a result. Second, a maximised interior space satisfying customers' needs, based on the concept of 'Spatial Talents' providing a relaxing, high-tech, with more intuitive and positive experiences ideal for family travel.
The most powerful engine in the lineup is a 3.5-litre gasoline direct injection (GDi) V6, producing up to 290bhp and 355Nm torque. This engine features an advanced GDi and multi-point injection (MPi) system, which optimises the combustion cycle depending on conditions to maximise power and efficiency. A 3.5-litre MPi gasoline V6 is also available, producing up to 268bhp and 332Nm torque.
A new 2.2-litre 'Smartstream' diesel engine is offered to customers in many markets, and is one of the cleanest diesel units that Kia has ever made. Producing up to 199bhp and 440Nm of torque over a broad range of engine speeds, the new engine replaces its predecessor's cast iron block for a 20kg lighter aluminium block. All engines are paired as standard with eight-speed automatic transmissions, offering smooth and swift progress to match the car's unruffled dynamic character.
The new fully independent suspension system and a range of Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) measures are engineered to deliver reassuring and relaxing on-road behaviour, maximising stability and occupant comfort.
A new column-mounted motor-driven power steering set-up replaces the outgoing model's hydraulic power steering system, resulting in a slightly more direct response to steering inputs, with a 5.6% quicker steering ratio, with an added bonus of enabling many of the new driver-assist technologies which rely on an electric power steering motor. Rolling refinement is something that no MPV driver wants to sacrifice, and the Carnival excels in this area too thanks to a comprehensive array of new NVH features that go beyond what many of its key rivals offer.
This manifests in the Carnival's roominess, combined with a sense of modernity and style. The interior represents an increase in quality and design over its predecessor, with a futuristic new cabin.
The high-tech ambience is most obvious in its wide, panoramic-screen dashboard design, which integrates the 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system under a single seamless piece of glass as well as the haptic touch controls further down the centre console. A compact shift-by-wire dial for the transmission is located at the base of the centre console, freeing up space and falling easily to hand. The new Kia Carnival will go on sale in Korea starting on 18 August 2020, with sales due to commence in many of Kia's global markets later in the year.
