All-new Kia Carnival arrives fully imported

KUALA LUMPUR: KIA is back in Malaysia and with a ‘stronger’ partner. The long-standing Naza Kia relationship which lasted more than two decades came to an end last year with two models in their showrooms. The 2017 Kia Carnival and the just arrived 2020 Kia Seltos SUV.

Naza Kia launched the 2017 Carnival 2.2 CRDi turbocharged diesel from RM 165,888. Sales were brisk and there were only two rivals in the segment. The used reconditioned Toyota Alphard and its sibling, the Vellfire.

Sales were brisk and by the end of 2020, Naza Kia had closed down their signature RED Cube showrooms and the business was winding down.

Then in April 2021, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kia Motors Malaysia formed a partnership with Berjaya Auto to assemble KIA vehicles in Malaysia. It was announced that KIA Malaysia will be the regional manufacturing hub for the brand for sales in the ASEAN region and possibly other markets too. The first two models to be locally-assembled are the KIA Seltos and an all-new Carnival MPV with another model (probably the Kia Sorento) to join later.

Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn Bhd which is a subsidiary of Berjaya Auto is the new sole distributor for the KIA brand in Malaysia.

Now comes news of the arrival of the All-New KIA Carnival. This handsome new family MPV is now officially open for booking for Malaysians looking for a large family vehicle as it has up to 11 full-sized seats with seat-belts. Yes, this means it competes with the recently launched Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer which has 10 seats.

Priced at RM 342,036, the Vito carries the Benz branding whereas this new KIA Carnival lacks the branding prestige of the Vito in ASEAN. We guess the selling price of this new fully imported KIA Carnival to be well below the price of the Mercedes-Benz VITO, probably between RM 188,000 to RM 208,000.

This new KIA Carnival was designed at KIA’s California design studio and so it looks more streamlined over the Vito and has won numerous awards overseas for its design, high safety standards, and cabin features.

As part of KIA’s overall commitment to safety, this KIA Carnival comes with a host of standard safety and advanced safety features. Standard safety technologies in the all-new Carnival includes 7 SRS Airbags (Front Driver & Passenger, Driver Knee, Side and Curtain), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Multi-Collision Brake Control (MCB), ISOFIX Child Restraint Anchor Points and Top Tethers as well as Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

In terms of advanced safety, this KIA Carnival comes equipped with Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA). The BCW, under certain conditions, can detect vehicles traveling in the next lane.

Whereas for RCCA, the system helps detect most approaching cross traffic when in reverse. When approaching cross traffic is detected, the system alerts the driver.

This Carnival is powered by a 2.2L Turbo Diesel Engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, controlled by an electronic shifter. The 2.2L engine produces 199 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 440 Nm of torque from just 1,750 – 2,750 RPM.

The colour line-up includes Astra Blue, Silky Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Panthera Metal, and Flare Red; making a total of 6 colours available.

Selling price for this All-New KIA Carnival will be announced at a later date. The vehicle is now officially open for booking and comes with a 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty + 5-Years Free Maintenance according to manufacturer’s standards inclusive of labour, parts, and lubricants.

Both Manufacturer Warranty and Free Maintenance have a coverage period of five years and a mileage limit of 100,000 km, whichever comes first. 

Also read: Kia Concept EV9 unveils at 2021 AutoMobility LA show