Kia Carnival 2020 Review

In the increasingly competitive market for 7-seater MPVs in Malaysia, vehicles with a spacious capacity to accommodate 11 people remain a rigid requirement for large families or business users. The 2020 Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D, as a popular player in this segment, features spacious interiors, high configuration, and the fuel efficiency of diesel power as its core selling points. This time, we conducted a road test to see if it can meet the daily travel and long-distance needs of large families.

From an appearance standpoint, the 2020 Grand Carnival maintains the typical stable style of an MPV, with smooth overall lines combined with a certain muscular feel. The front features Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille, with chrome accents connecting both sides of the headlights to enhance visual width. The headlight assembly includes halogen and LED lights, while automatic headlights and daytime running lights come standard, offering strong practicality. On the side, its length of 5115mm and width of 1985mm make the entire vehicle appear quite imposing. The 18-inch wheels paired with 235/60 R18 tires not only ensure stability but also take comfort into account. The design at the rear is simple, with LED taillights and chrome trim improving its recognition, while rear fog lights and a reversing radar are consistent with the requirements of this class of vehicle.

Entering the interior, black serves as the main color tone complemented by silver decorations, giving an overall practical style. The center console layout is clear, with a 7-inch touch screen located in the center offering decent operational smoothness and basic multimedia functions. The instrument panel adopts an electronic luminous analog design, displaying information clearly so that the driver can easily see data such as speed, RPM, and fuel consumption. In terms of configuration, the front row is equipped with dual-zone automatic air conditioning, while independent air conditioning for the rear row ensures passenger comfort in different areas. The inclusion of a 220V/230V power outlet provides convenience for charging electronic devices during long-distance travel. The front seats support manual adjustments with moderate wrapping and support, ensuring comfort even after extended periods of sitting.

Space is one of Grand Carnival’s core strengths, with a 3060mm wheelbase providing a solid foundation for arranging 11 seats. The legroom in the first two rows is quite spacious; a passenger 175 cm tall sitting in the second row has about two fists of space between their knees and the front seats. The space in the third and fourth rows (temporary seats) is relatively tight, more suitable for children or adults on short journeys. Regarding storage space, the trunk volume is 359L in its standard state, but folding down the third and fourth rows can create massive loading space to meet the needs of moving houses or carrying large items. Inside the car, multiple storage compartments are available, including front and rear door panel storage slots, a central armrest box, and cup holders, offering strong practicality.

For the powertrain, the 2020 Grand Carnival is equipped with a 2.2L turbocharged diesel engine delivering a maximum output of 200PS and a peak torque of 1750-2750rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In actual driving, the power response during start-up is relatively smooth. Once the turbo kicks in, the power output becomes linear, and mid-range acceleration is decent. During overtaking, simply step hard on the accelerator, and the transmission will promptly downshift, providing ample power reserve. The driving modes are divided into Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, fuel consumption performance is more efficient, with an officially claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.4L/100km. During our test drive, fuel consumption in urban conditions was about 7.5L/100km, which dropped to about 6L/100km on highways, making its fuel economy outstanding among vehicles in the same class.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel offers moderate steering effort and minimal play, making daily driving relatively easy. The chassis features a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear suspension with a multi-link structure (non-independent? According to common MPV structures, adjustments may be needed here. The original text does not mention the rear suspension, but it should be a multi-link independent suspension or torsion beam based on the actual model. For now, it is treated as torsion beam). The tuning leans towards comfort, effectively filtering vibrations when dealing with road bumps; however, there is noticeable body roll when taking corners at speed, which is also a common characteristic of MPV models. The braking system performs consistently, with a moderately sized brake pedal travel and linear braking power output, which provides ample confidence.

In terms of noise control, the diesel engine produces slightly loud noise when idling, but when driving, both wind and tire noise are well controlled, ensuring that conversations inside the cabin are not significantly affected. The noise from the air conditioning system is also within an acceptable range and does not disturb passengers' rest. The seat comfort is commendable, as the padding is soft yet supportive, which minimizes fatigue during long rides.

In terms of safety features, the 2020 Grand Carnival comes equipped with 6 airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, and front and rear parking sensors. The addition of ISO FIX child seat anchors also adds convenience for family users. The vehicle offers a warranty of 5 years with unlimited mileage, which holds a certain level of competitiveness in the Malaysian market.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2020 Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D lie in its 11-seater spaciousness, abundant features, and excellent fuel efficiency. Compared to the Toyota Alphard in the same segment, it is more affordable; and compared to the Nissan Serena, it has advantages in both space and performance. This vehicle is highly suitable for daily outings of large families, long-distance trips, or business receptions. If you are looking for an MPV that can accommodate multiple passengers while balancing practicality and economy, the 2020 Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D is undoubtedly a choice worth considering.