It has been 30 months since the Kia Grand Carnival made its international debut, but now the eight-seater people carrier is finally being previewed for the first time at the 2016 Malaysian Autoshow. Kia Malaysia have also started taking orders for the MPV, which they say will be launched within the first quarter of 2017.
With an indicative price tag between RM160k to RM165k, the Grand Carnival (known as the Sedona in several markets) will be fully imported and is powered by the sole 2.2-litre CRDi four-cylinder diesel engine. It is turbocharged to make 191 hp and 440 Nm of torque, while drive is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed torque converter automatic. 
Standard features include xenon projector headlamps with integrated LED DRLs, 19-inch wheels, LED combination tail lamps, powered sliding doors and a powered tailgate. The Grand Carnival dwarfs the Sorento with a massive footprint, spanning 5,115mm long and boasts a wheelbase of 3,060mm. The 19-inch chromed alloys are optional, we’re told.
The interior of this display unit is draped in brownish-beige hide, but we are more likely to get an all-black interior once the equipment list gets finalised. In place of the driver’s seat is a sporty leather wrapped multifunction three-spoke steering wheel, but all seats in this trim are manually adjustable. We can’t say for sure if we will be getting powered seats, though our chances seem pretty good at this point.
With all the seats up, the Grand Carnival can swallow up to 960 litres of cargo. Fold the second and third row seats and this blows up to a cavernous 4,022 litres! Creature comforts include tri-zone climate control with cluster ioniser, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera and cruise control.
As for safety, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, hill-start assist and Isofix anchors for the second and third row seats. If you’re in the market for a proper MPV, this one seems to fit the bill quite adequately.
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