4 reasons why the Kia Carnival is a good Holy Week ride

Filipino car buyers, more often than not, are on the hunt for family-friendly rides. It is who we are, ever since the first type of automobile entered the country. 

Fast forward to 2025, and the market now has a rich selection of three-row six or seven-seaters that can comfortably fit the average Pinoy family. One of those is the Kia Carnival - a minivan that was initially introduced to the market back in 2023. 

The Carnival, however, goes above and beyond in being a people-mover. Instead, Kia claims that it might fit in as an excellent choice for families who want to go for out-of-town trips during the coming Holy Week holidays. Here are four reasons why the aforementioned is the case. 

Multiple options for different families

Obviously, no two Filipino families are the same. Each will have different needs and wants, and thus, each will have unique requirements with regard to transportation. 

Luckily, the Philippine-spec Kia Carnival comes in a variety of different trims in diesel or gasoline-hybrid. Specifically, both the EX and the higher-spec SX may each come with a 2.2-liter diesel engine or a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline hybrid mill.

The gasoline-hybrid option is the prime choice for customers who want to lessen their carbon footprint, while having an ample amount of performance. For reference, it can generate up to 242  horsepower (hp) and 367 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

The diesel engine trims, on the other hand, can produce up to 199 hp and 440 Nm of torque. As such, it may catch the attention of diesel-loving car buyers and families who want to switch out from body-on-frame models to something with a more pliant ride. 

For reference, here are the mechanical specifications of the Kia Carnival, specifically, the SX Diesel AT and the SX Turbo Hybrid AT: 

Model	Kia Carnival SX Diesel AT	Kia Carnival SX Turbo Hybrid AT
Engine	2.2-liter inline-4 turbodiesel	1.6-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic	Six-speed automatic
Horsepower	199	242
Torque	440 Nm	367 Nm
Hybrid system	-	Lithium-ion battery, permanent magnet synchronous motor
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Large but nimble

According to Kia’s local arm, the Carnival is sizable and spacious, but it is also quite steady and quick-footed when it comes to dealing with twisty roads. The aforementioned makes it suitable for destinations like Baguio City. 

Additionally, the model’s well-bolstered seats will ensure that its occupants are always planted when taking on curvy paths. And as mentioned above, it has a set of peppy engine options, which all ensure an engaging and responsive drive. 

Long highways are never tedious

Thanks to its extensive array of creature comforts, the Kia Carnival’s occupants will hardly find anything to complain about, even when passing through the long stretches of the North Luzon Expressway or the South Luzon Expressway. 

For starters, the Kia-made minivan comes standard with a triple air-conditioning system and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The aforementioned display is linked to a six-piece speaker set, and it is also capable of accepting voice commands. 

Specific to the SX trims of the Carnival are leather-upholstered seats, as well as power-adjustable front seats. Depending on the variant, the Kia Carnival also comes with the following: 

• Power reclining second-row “relaxation seats” (SX)
• Captain seats (EX)
• Wireless smartphone charging (SX)
• 12-volt outlets
• USB ports
• Dual sunroof (SX)
• Power tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
• 60:40 split-folding third row

Smooth and quiet

As shared by the Korean carmaker, the Kia Carnival’s EX and SX Turbo Hybrid variants are very capable of providing quiet rides. The aforementioned will come in handy in creating a chance for families to bond and reconnect while cruising through picturesque locations. 

The aforementioned is primarily thanks to the vehicle’s electric motor and its turbocharged gasoline engine. Its transmission is likewise tuned for slick and effortless operation, thanks to its shift-by-wire technology paired with a knob-type gear shifter. 

Kia Carnival: Pricing

Variant	Price
Kia Carnival EX Diesel AT	P2.888 million
Kia Carnival EX Turbo Hybrid AT	P2.888 million
Kia Carnival SX Diesel AT	P3.368 million
Kia Carnival SX Turbo Hybrid AT	P3.488 million

Final thoughts

To sum it all up, the Kia Carnival makes for a good family ride for Holy Week getaways. Beyond the aforementioned, it can also become a suitable daily driver for the active family on the go. 

So, if you like what you see in this Kia-made family-friendly model, do take it for a test drive at a Kia dealership nearest to you. 

Also read: 

Kia Sonet: pros and cons

New Kia Carnival: here’s what to expect

Kia Soluto: Pros and cons