New Kia Carnival: here’s what to expect

Kia Philippines is poised to launch the latest iteration of the Carnival multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) this Friday.

According to the local wing of the South Korean carmaker, the upcoming model will don “premium, stylish, and tech-advanced features that are aligned with the latest Kia brand imagery.”

To help those interested better understand what Kia Philippines means, here is a quick look at the global model of the new Carnival.

Updated exterior

The latest version of the Kia Carnival could don a more imposing fascia thanks to a large grille with a modern cheese grater-like pattern. The latticework is surrounded by two L-shaped headlamps with integrated daytime running lamps and turn signals.

It wears a chunky chin with large horizontal slats adorned with fog lamps on each of its sides.

Showcasing some design continuity, the large and somewhat boxy front end of the Kia Carnival continues to its sides. The beefy doors and somewhat squarish windows give it a sturdy impression.

It gets blacked-out pillars and claddings on its sliding doors. Despite the lack of plastic-covered wheel arches, the side profile of the MPV still looks masculine — something that we believe many Filipino car buyers will like.

The rear end of the upcoming Kia Carnival comes with taillamps that echo the design of what can be seen at the fore.

Improved technology

Inside, the new Kia Carnival will also boast new appointments. These include a new panoramic dual-display made up of two 12.3-inch screens and a dual smartphone tray, among other possible improvements.

To note, the currently available Kia Carnival is equipped with a standard instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD screen as well as an eight-inch infotainment screen.

Having larger screens could potentially attract more tech-savvy customers as today’s generation of car buyers now consider the type of screens they get with their vehicles.

Retained powertrain

It is possible that the forthcoming Kia Carnival will retain its Smartstream 2.2-liter engine. The reliable powerplant has become a staple among the carmaker’s offerings, which is why the brand might keep the tried and trusted mill for the Philippine market.

However, it is also possible that Kia Philippines might offer a 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid gasoline engine paired with a 54-kilowatt motor option as many of the brand’s competitors are slowly shifting to a more sustainable means of mobility.

Final thoughts

All that we can do at the moment is speculate — or make educated wishes as Deadpool puts it. For those wanting the full scoop, the entire specifications of the new Kia Carnival will be revealed later this week.

That said, make sure to keep it here at Zigwheels Philippines for the latest updates about Kia’s arriving MPV.

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