A Family-friendly Vehicle from Kia
Kia Motors took the wraps off the all-new Kia Carnival on Aug. 18, heralding the arrival of the 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.
Based on Kia’s new mid-size platform, the Carnival has been dubbed a "Grand Utility Vehicle"; more refined, roomy and capable than ever, and offering greater space and efficiency than its predecessors – as well as all current rivals in the minivan segment.
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 Carnival has been well-regarded by buyers for a long time and has become Kia’s flagship family-friendly vehicle. The fourth-generation Carnival is a significant new vehicle for us, as it demonstrates every strength that makes Kia so popular around the world,” said Thomas Schemera, head of product division at Hyundai Motor Group. “It improves the quality, versatility and usability of its predecessors, while making travel far more relaxing and more enjoyable for families. With a sophisticated design and cutting-edge technologies to provide owners greater value in their daily lives, the new model solidifies Kia’s role in the minivan segment. It is a ‘Grand Utility Vehicle’ that sets a new standard for MPVs.”
The new Kia Carnival will go on-sale in Korea starting Aug. 18 with sales due to commence in many of Kia’s global markets from later in the year.
The new Carnival represents a design evolution for Kia’s flagship minivan, with a sense of solidity, futuristic details, and SUV-inspired forms and surfaces. It brings a stronger, more stylish presence to the MPV segment as a result.
Thanks to its new platform and larger body, the fourth-generation Carnival boasts unrivalled space for passengers. Depending on market, the Carnival offers owners three- or four-row seating configurations, with space for seven, eight or 11 occupants in total. The car is also more versatile and spacious than ever before, offering intelligent and flexible interior packaging and an abundance of cabin storage areas.
The new Carnival adopts Kia’s latest ‘Smartstream’ powertrain technologies to enhance efficiency and performance. Depending on market and specification, the new Carnival is available with a choice of up to three new engines, all offering swift, easily-accessible performance.
The most powerful engine in the line-up is a 3.5-liter GDi (gasoline direct injection) V6, producing up to 294 ps and 355 Nm torque. This engine features an advanced GDi and multi-point injection (MPI) system, which optimizes the combustion cycle depending on conditions to maximize power and efficiency. A new cooled exhaust gas recirculation system delivers efficiency benefits, helping lower the engine’s combustion temperature for greater fuel economy. A new integrated thermal management and cross-flow system further helps manage the engine’s operating temperature to maximize efficiency at all times.
A 3.5-liter MPi gasoline V6 is also available, producing up to 272 ps and 332 Nm torque. This features the same new integrated thermal management system as its GDi counterpart.
A new 2.2-liter ‘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 202 ps, and offering 440 Nm torque over a broad range of engine speeds, the new engine replaces its predecessor’s cast iron block for a 20 kg lighter aluminum block. Furthermore, it features a range of measures that reduce friction, aid cooling, enhance efficiency, and reduce emissions. These include new high-pressure injectors, new balancer shafts, a thermal management system, and selective catalytic reduction to regulate emissions.
All engines are paired as standard with eight-speed automatic transmissions, offering smooth and swift progress to match the car’s unruffled dynamic character.