Kia’s Carnival minivan – sold as the Sedona in overseas markets – has sold 2 million units worldwide since 2008. Now the South Korean automaker has provided a glimpse of the next-generation Carnival for the 2021 model year, releasing a designer sketch ahead of the model’s anticipated unveiling later this year.
The new Kia Carnival sports a more streamlined design
Kia’s designers have coined a new term for the upcoming Carnival: Grand Utility Vehicle, likely a reflection of the lofty aspirations that the company is attaching to the next-generation model.
The sketch hints at a heavily-streamlined yet more rugged silhouette, resulting in a sleeker look that’s more consistent with offerings in the Kia SUV list. A hood featuring more sculpted lines than the outgoing model rests on top of what Kia calls ‘symphonic architecture’ with the revised front seen to combine an array of features that result in visual harmony.
A revised bumper is evident, paired with a revamped front diffuser. The signature Kia ‘tiger nose’ grille remains on the fascia, surrounded by a pair of “high-tech headlamps” that could be the company’s yet-unnamed take on adaptive lighting technology. A dominant character line emerges from the lights, travelling along the length of the vehicle’s profile.
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Expect the interior to be completely redone especially where controls are concerned
Occupants can expect the instrument panel and infotainment system to use a new widescreen display each, as part of the interior amenities. An array of advanced driver-assist features is also among the anticipated features.
Kia is likely to offer the 2021 Kia Carnival with a range of more efficient powertrains, beginning with improved versions of the current 3.5L gasoline V6 and 2.2L diesel engines, the latter becoming part of Kia’s ‘Smartstream’ line of efficient power plants.
Expect an improved version of the existing 3.6L V6, among other possible engine choices
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions could also be in the works, mating a 1.6L turbocharged engine to an electric motor. The eight-speed automatic gearbox on the outgoing model could likely be swapped with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The new Kia Carnival model is expected to launch in the Korean market on the third quarter this year, with other markets (including the Philippines) hopefully following by the fourth quarter or early 2021.
Catch updates on the latest and upcoming car models at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Kia Carnival 2024
The 2025 Kia Carnival is a seven-seater minivan. It is now in its fourth generation, and it has two different variants for the Philippine market.
These include the Carnival SX AT, and the Carnival EX AT. Its prices range from Php 2,888,000 to Php 3,368,000.
Under the hood of the all-new Carnival is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel mill that can generate up to 200 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque. Both variants are front-wheel-drive, and both use an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Size-wise, the new Carnival is 5,115mm long, 1,985mm wide, and 1,740mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 3,060mm.
Locally, the 2025 Kia Carnival rivals the Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Grand Starex, and GAC GN8, among others.
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Kia Carnival Launch
The Kia Carnival’s first-gen model was initially introduced as the Kia Sedona back in 2001. Later on, it reached other markets around the world as the Kia Carnival, Kia Grand Carnival, Hyundai Entourage, and the Sedona.
For the Philippine market in 2022, it was now known as the Kia Carnival. It replaced the old third-gen model, and it came in two different variants.
Kia Carnival Exterior
On the outside, the new Carnival 2025 offers a sophisticated-looking design with SUV-like qualities. It sports the new Kia logo, classy-looking C-pillars, and a pair of sharp-looking headlamps. For the EX, it rides on a set of 18-inch wheels. The SX meanwhile, gets a larger 19-inch set.
Kia Carnival Interior
At most, the 2025 Kia Carnival Philippines can comfortably seat up to seven occupants. It features captain second-row seats with leg rests, a wide bench-type third-row seat, and plenty of cargo space. The front seats for the driver also come with electronic adjustment. All the seats are then clad in leather or leatherette.
Access to the vehicle is also made easy with power sliding doors, and a power tailgate. Other features found inside the new Carnival are a sunroof, and a 3-zone automatic climate control system, among others.
The driver is then provided with cruise control, a push-to-start button, and a digital gauge cluster.
Technology & Safety Features
Safety-wise, the Carnival Philippines gets a total of six airbags, a rear camera, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, front and rear parking sensors, stability control, ISOFIX anchors, and hill-start assist, among others.
Those standard safety features are then supported by blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision avoidance, and lane keep assist.
Entertainment is handled by an eight-inch headunit with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The said headunit is linked to a six-piece speaker system. The top-spec SX trim also comes with a wireless smartphone charger.
Platform & Chassis
The all-new 2025 Kia Carnival rides on the N3 platform which it shares with the Kia Sorento. For suspensions, it uses a MacPherson strut for the front, and a multi-link type for the rear. Braking is then handled by disc brakes for all four wheels. It also uses an electronic parking brake.
Engine & Drivetrain
Under the hood of the new 2025 Carnival is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine capable of producing up to 200 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to the model’s front wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Locally, the 2025 Kia Carnival has a total of three different color options. These include Astra Blue, Snow White Pearl, and Aurora Black Pearl.
The Kia Carnival has shaped up to become one of the more feature-rich and high-tech the Korean brand offers locally. And yes, it also has a very comprehensive safety kit, which rivals other locally available premium models. Power-wise, it also gets a diesel engine, which we all know is used sparingly in other vehicles of its class. Well, at least in the Philippines.
Kia Carnival 2025 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Kia Carnival 2.2 EX Diesel AT | ₱2,888,000 |
| Kia Carnival 2.2 SX Diesel AT | ₱3,368,000 |
Kia Carnival Pros & Cons
Pros
- Diesel engine
- Loads of features and on-board tech
- Roomy
- Macho but elegant styling
Cons
- Its size might intimidate new drivers
₱ 2,640,000 - ₱ 3,088,000
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