The Kia Carnival is undoubtedly one of the nicest vans in the market.

With generous accommodation for seven passengers in a sleeker, American-minivan-style package, the Carnival combines the Korean brand’s sharp design with a punchy turbodiesel engine.

These, among other reasons, may be why the Carnival won in three categories at the 2022-2023 Auto Focus People’s and Media’s Choice Awards. 

Kia Philippines said in a January 2023 press statement that the premium minivan received awards for Best Design, Best Engine Performance, and Best Safety Features in the Standard MPV category.

“The results speak for themselves,” the Korean carmaker said. “Ever since its introduction locally in February 2022, the Kia Carnival continues to wow audiences with thoughtful design, technological innovations, and safety.” 

“With first-class seating for up to seven adults, the Kia Carnival delivers a refreshing traveling experience, thanks to its clever use of space, luxurious appointments, and cutting-edge technology and connectivity features,” Kia added.

The Carnival is powered by a 2.2-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 turbodiesel engine pumping out 202 PS and 440 Nm of torque. This is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Meanwhile, the minivan also gets a suite of active-safety systems like:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert

• Lane Following Assist

• Lane Keeping Assist

• Blind Spot Detection

• Parking Distance Warning

• Rear-View Camera

Over 15 years of recognizing exemplary cars

The Auto Focus People’s & Media’s Choice Awards has been managed by local TV network Sunshine Television Ventures (STV) since 2005.

STV also produces the Philippines’ longest-running motoring program, “Motoring Today.” This is hosted by Wee and Tin Gamboa, the children of STV chair, veteran motoring journalist, and former host Butch Gamboa.

Entries to the awards are nominated by the manufacturer or distributor and must have been available on the market on or before Nov. 30, 2022.

The awards feature nine categories:

• Standard Sedan (Mini, Subcompact, Compact, and Midsize)

• Standard Sports Car

• Standard Sport-Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Crossover (Subcompact, Compact, Midsize, Large)

• Standard Van/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)

• Standard Pick-Up

• Premium/Luxury Sedan (Mini, Subcompact, Compact, and Midsize)

• Premium/Luxury Sports Car

• Premium/Luxury Sport-Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Crossover

• Premium/Luxury Van/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)

In addition, there are two Automobile of the Year awards, one each for the Standard and the Premium/Luxury categories.

International recognition

The fourth-generation Carnival has also been the recipient of numerous international awards, namely “Best Minivan” by Newsweek, during its 2021 Autos Awards. 

In addition, Kia Philippines said the Carnival received top honors in the “Transportation” category in the 2021 Good Design Awards, one of the oldest design competitions in the world.

This was organized by Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Is the current-generation Kia Carnival appealing to you too?