Kia Carnival to be previewed at Mines on November 10

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After what seems like an eternity, Naza Kia finally appears set on bringing in the latest third-generation Kia Carnival to our shores. The massive MPV will be previewed at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) this Thursday, before its inevitable launch soon.

It may be new to Malaysians, but the word might not be best used in this context. The Carnival was first unveiled in New York in April 2014, but there was no indication then that it would be offered here – although the original model was sold in Malaysia in both original and Naza Ria-badged forms, the second-gen was never made available on our shores.

Fast forward nearly two years later and the people mover was captured in front of JPJ Putrajaya, hinting that the the Carnival could well be introduced here. The sighting was bolstered by a source at Naza Kia, which told paultan.org then that the Carnival was under consideration to be sold in Malaysia.

This Carnival is an absolute beast – it’s 40 mm longer than the already-commodious previous model. The increase in dimensions is claimed to have enabled the Carnival to offer more front shoulder room, greater leg room in the first, second and third rows and a slightly higher hip-point than the previous model.

Available in either seven-, eight- or, in Korea, eleven-seater configurations, the Carnival is offered with two powertrain options – a 202 PS/441 Nm 2.2 litre R CRDi turbodiesel, a 270 PS/318 Nm 3.3 litre naturally-aspirated MPI petrol V6 or a 280 PS/336 Nm GDi version of the V6. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic. If the recent introduction of the Sorento was any indication, Naza Kia could offer both petrol and diesel engines here, with the latter being low-spec model.

So, what do you think of the return of the Carnival on our shores? Could it really take the fight to the likes of the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.

SPYSHOTS: Kia Carnival in Malaysia


GALLERY: Kia Grand Sedona at GIIAS 2016

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • picang on Nov 08, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    finally,
    should be interesting to see how they price it! Should be included in the Kia Value 5 Program as well!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 1
  • Two years too slow.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 3
  • Hot Cat not Hot Dog on Nov 08, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Waiting for Naza Ria…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Nelson Lai on Nov 08, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    The size might be bigger than Alphard/Vellfire,but it seems like it would not be as luxurious as them.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 35
    • GeneralHoho on Nov 08, 2016 at 5:32 pm

      you watched the review in youtube already or not? research a bit laa..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 4
  • Mohammad on Nov 08, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Meanwhile Proton rebadging old stocks from Suzuki Maruti as it’s new Proton Ertiga model and selling 8 years old Exora.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 25
    • What happen to ur Kunta/Albert/Albert Yong nick?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
      • AutoFrenz (the original) on Nov 08, 2016 at 6:36 pm

        Hahaha

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Albert on Nov 08, 2016 at 8:43 pm

        I just came back from Australia,where cars ,new and old….huge yards ,mesmerising,shop until u drop with 2.0 camry starting from aus22K plus.
        Here,u wanna talk about this Kia Carnival,pricing?
        Fully imported,our gargantuan taxes will push it above rm150K++.,unless there is sufficient volume to bring in ckd form.
        By the way,with the weakening ringgit….stop buying new cars.Just HOLD FOR 6 MONTHS ,TILL 2017…see how our economy fares.More businesses now are going under.
        Be safe ,than sorry.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 1
    • pak atan on Nov 09, 2016 at 7:41 am

      kah kah kah.. his kunta already brain drain.. his master dont want to pay RM50 any more

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Jackson on Nov 08, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    Finally! Price it like the Sorento please. or even rm10k lower.

    I would go for the diesel.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
  • Domotomo on Nov 08, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    yup. diesel always low spec model.
    hence toyota fortuner.
    the best spec innova in indo is diesel. not avail in MY
    are we looking for -ve trend here for diesel by MY gov?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • francis on Nov 08, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    Hopefully Naza will bring this model into Msia, a high spec diesel model would be most welcome.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on Nov 08, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    NAZA hope people will forget about it’s previous Carnival/Naza Ria disaster.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • ex-VGM staff on Nov 09, 2016 at 9:51 am

      the super high fuel consumption, costly timing belt change at early interval (3 pc cam belt instead of 1), and issues with cylinder liner – 15-20k overhaul at naza SC

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • 4G63T DSM on Nov 09, 2016 at 5:05 pm

        I’m curious.

        You buy a 2.5L V6 Quad cam (and relatively underpowered) for such a heavy car, and what sort of fuel efficiency numbers where you expecting?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Kancil_Driver on Nov 08, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    Finally. I’ve been riding this South Korea. It is grey/black interior here which is WAY BETTER than the light brown scheme in the photos.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Price it in rm150k -rm170k range for the lower spec..it should be an instant hit

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Keep the 3.3L petrol engine. Dont have to bring it here. Nobody in West Malaysia wants to spend RM2k+ on roadtax. 2.2L is still manageable , but not 3.3L .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 2
    • But..but..but.. a lot of people drives the 3.5L Aplhard/Vellfire/Estima nowadays..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 4
  • heybadigol (Member) on Nov 09, 2016 at 8:26 am

    That’s a very sleek profile – almost wagon-like – which I like. Reminds me of the Honda Odyssey from previous generations. 3.3 litre engine will result in a road tax of RM2200, instead of RM3500 if it was a normal sedan. Still quite high, but it is super smooth and sounds good. The smaller turbo diesel engine may be more popular cos of lower road tax. But will it be OK in the long run, to run on B10 diesel here?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • passion on Nov 09, 2016 at 9:02 am

    must always standby a P1 or P2 just in case.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • haha…after a few generation only Naza dare to bring in to test market. Believe it is due to the nightmare of old Naza Ria issues. However they had lost many years in this category car in Malaysia. Good luck korea

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • 2.2L diesel engine on the highest spec car too. Keeping the 2.2L for lower spec only is a big mistake.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • I agree. Perhaps just offer the diesel engine but different specs just like the Hyundai Grand Starex.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • markgoh on Nov 09, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    pls, replace the player with 8 inch or above…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • November 10 is Thursday or Friday ? , writer please modify your title

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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