2021 Kia Carnival full details are out now

KUALA LUMPUR: When SUVs and crossovers are highly popular, the all-new Kia Carnival is one such MPV with SUVish looks that could make you stop and reconsider buying an SUV. A couple of months ago, Kia first teased the exterior of the 2021 Kia Carnival minivan for South Korea; then, it teased the interior. Now, the automaker has spilled further details about this upcoming MPV, which is also known as Kia Sedona in the international market.

Dubbed as ‘Grand Utility Vehicle,’ the 2021 Kia Carnival is based on a new mid-size platform that provides unrivaled space for passengers inside the cabin. The MPV offers three- or four-row seating configurations, with space for seven, eight, or 11 passengers in total. It comes with intelligent and flexible interior packaging and lots of cabin storage areas.

The new Carnival gets benefits from a 30 mm longer wheelbase and a 10 mm wider body. The overall length also grows by 40 mm, along with a 30 mm longer rear overhang, thus creating more space for third-row occupants and best-in-class luggage space of 2,905 litres when only first-row is in place. With a three-row configuration, it measures 627 litres.

In the seven-seat layout, the minivan offers reclining ‘Premium Relaxation Seat’ for second-row, with adjustable back-, arm- and leg-rests providing ‘business class’ seating. The comfort can be further enhanced by a one-touch ‘Relaxation’ mode that automatically reclines and adjusts the seats. 

The Kia Carnival’s cabin features a hi-tech twin digital display - a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument panel and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, intelligent voice control, and touch-sensitive buttons. Other goodies are climate control, power-sliding rear doors, power tailgate, and rear passenger voice control. 

Compared to the outgoing version, it features a shorter front overhang, with the base of the A-pillar shifted backward to get a longer hood. Upfront, there is a tiger-nose grille integrated with headlights and LED daytime running lights. The chiseled bumper and lower air intake are matched with metallic trim and a black lower bumper for an SUV-ish look. At the rear, the minivan poses a unique and wide look accentuated by a full-width light bar. The SUV-inspired metallic lower skid plate further lends a more robust appearance to the vehicle.

Kia offers the 2021 Carnival in three different engine options, including a 3.5-litre V6 Turbo GDI producing 294 PS of maximum power and 355 Nm of peak torque. The next is a 3.5-litre MPI gasoline V6 engine which generates 272 PS and 332 Nm, and last is a 2.2-litre, turbo diesel engine churning out 202 PS and 440 Nm of peak torque. All the powertrains are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Safety and driver assistance features include seven airbags, electronic stability control, forward-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot view monitor, high-beam assist, smart cruise control, highway driving assist, surround-view monitor and safe exit assist.

The 2021 Kia Carnival will hit the South Korea market in Q3 2020, with other markets to follow.

Also read: 2020 Kia Stinger exterior and interior images revealed