By the end of 2023, Bermaz introduced the locally assembled version of the 11-seater Kia Carnival. Alongside this introduction, the Carnival also received some minor cosmetic upgrades to make the vehicle more appealing. Even with local assembly, the 11-seater continues to be considered a commercial vehicle, allowing Bermaz to offer it at an attractive price. Not too long ago, I had the chance to get my hands on the Kia Carnival again, and see if these cosmetic changes made the Carnival better. Let’s find out.
From the outside, nothing has changed for the 11-seater. You will notice exterior changes on the more premium model, but since we’re here with the 11-seater variant, we’ll just stick to this one for now. The biggest changes are on the inside of the vehicle. The most obvious update is the interior color. Bermaz has given this updated vehicle a black interior, paired with silver plastic trims. With the change in color, the interior now looks more monotonous. But you can’t really blame Bermaz for this, as most Malaysian buyers actually preferred a black interior over beige. On the plus side, this interior color is much easier to maintain, saving families a lot of time. 
Additionally, the infotainment screen has received some software and hardware upgrades. While it looks similar to the CBU model, the CKD Carnival gets new graphics, giving the infotainment system a refreshed look. Within the system, you now get a “sounds of nature” feature, playing sounds recorded from nature to give the cabin a calm and relaxing ambiance. One of the biggest surprises I noticed with the Carnival is that it now comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While Bermaz never mentioned it in their press release, I find this to be a welcome upgrade for the Carnival. 
While you gain quite a number of features, some others have been removed from the Carnival. One such feature is the one-touch window up and down for the passenger doors, including the front passenger door and the two sliding doors in the rear. While it didn’t significantly affect the driving feel of the vehicle, I do think this feature could have been retained as it shouldn’t add too much to the cost of the vehicle. Whatever the reason for Kia Malaysia to remove this feature, I hope they can bring it back in the future.
In terms of its powertrain, the same 2.2L turbo diesel continues to power the Carnival, capable of producing 199 horsepower and a peak torque of 440 Nm. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels. After getting behind the wheel of the Carnival again, it solidified its position as my favorite MPV on the market. The power is as strong as I remember, and keeping up with traffic in such a huge vehicle is effortless. Apart from being powerful, the Carnival is also very fuel-efficient. This is not something you typically associate with a large vehicle like this. With a full tank, the Carnival has no problem reaching the 800km mark, and it can even go further if you’re driving long distances.
The suspension is also very well balanced, comfortable without feeling too soft. When traveling long distances in this vehicle, the suspension absorbs all imperfections with ease. While tuned for comfort, the suspension never feels floaty, allowing the Carnival to travel on highways without causing discomfort to passengers. Moreover, the Carnival is very capable in corners, handling like a much smaller vehicle. The wide track of the vehicle ensures it feels planted in corners, and the steering wheel provides the driver with confidence to tackle twisty roads.
After being updated, is it still worth the RM 198,500 asking price? Well, after jumping back into the Carnival after a year, this vehicle solidified my feelings for it. I appreciate its performance, practicality, flexibility, and frugality. It embodies everything I want in a vehicle. If I were in the market for a vehicle, the Carnival is one I would seriously consider, even if I didn’t have a family. 
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