Kia Carnival Hybrid review: Hybrid power and modern updates for a spacious family MPV, Lifestyle News
We've seen all manner of large MPVs go on sale in Singapore recently. Many of these are Chinese in origin, come filled with lots of fancy tech and luxury features, and feature some form of electrification, being either full electric vehicles (EVs), or plug-in hybrids.
But what if you wanted something a bit more traditional and old-school? Well, there are a handful of MPVs that stick to the classic internal combustion route and one of them is the updated Kia Carnival tested here. What's new in the latest Kia Carnival?
The updated Kia Carnival has received a mid-life facelift, and it gets some pretty substantial changes externally, internally and under the hood.
On the outside, it gets a larger front grille that's flanked by vertical LED headlights on either side. The overall effect gives the car a more imposing look that gives it lots of presence, especially in the test car's black colour.
The rear has also been slightly redesigned, with the taillights now extending downwards at both ends from the horizontal light bar. It's a small but significant change, and gives the Kia Carnival a futuristic look that wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi movie.
The changes to the interior are somewhat more subtle, however. The most visible update is the driver instrument panel, which is now a fully digital item with a 12.3-inch display, instead of the previous analogue gauges.
The controls on the dashboard have also been redesigned and refreshed, and features Kia's new switchable LCD display that can toggle between the controls for the air conditioning or media system.
The biggest change to the Kia Carnival though, is under the bonnet, with the large MPV now swapping its previous 2.2-litre diesel engine for a 1.6-litre hybrid powerplant.
Despite the downsized engine, it actually has more power than before. The new hybrid drivetrain now produces 241hp, an increase of 43hp over the diesel's 198hp. However, torque has been reduced to 366Nm, down from 440Nm previously.
The car's gearbox also now has six speeds instead of its previous eight, and Kia says that hybrid drivetrain's power delivery reduces the need for more gears, as compared to the diesel powerplant which required more shifts. So how does the updated Kia Carnival Hybrid drive?
The primary reason for the switch to hybrid power from diesel is down to the fact that Singapore has banned the registration of new diesel passenger cars from January 2025.
[[nid:694420]]
But while diesel enthusiasts may lament the loss of the plentiful torque of the old powerplant, the new hybrid drivetrain does bring about its own characteristics and benefits.
For starters, it's no less responsive than the diesel, with the electric motor of the hybrid delivering an instant boost on acceleration with no lag. The transition from electric motor to petrol engine feels seamless as well, and the switch is virtually imperceptible.
Smoothness is a pervasive theme with this car, and the Carnival impresses with its well-damped ride quality and excellent refinement. On smooth highways, the Kia Carnival glides along in great comfort and silence, while on rougher roads the suspension works well to ease out the bumps without feeling too ruffled.
Of course, given the Carnival's stature as a large family MPV, one should not expect much in terms of nimbleness or agility. The steering is appropriately heavy, and while it's not exactly cumbersome to steer around corners, its size and weight is clearly evident to the driver.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Kia Carnival Hybrid delivers a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100km, which is actually not that far off from the diesel's figure of 6.8 litres per 100km.
But of course, the fact that the hybrid allows for the ability to drive on electric power means that, on the whole, it is still considered greener and more efficient than the diesel-powered model. How does the Kia Carnival Hybrid fare as an MPV then?
Given its size, it's no surprise that the Kia Carnival Hybrid is extremely spacious inside. After all, this is meant to be a car that can ferry seven people in comfort over long distances.
The best seats in the house are arguably in the second row, with its pair of 'VIP lounge seats' (as Kia calls them) that can recline fully, and come with heating and ventilation functions as well.
But even if you're confined to the third row, there's still plenty of room to accommodate full-sized adults without needing to contort yourself to get comfortable. As a nice touch, there are also comfort features like cupholders and sunshades, so that those in the back don't feel like second-class citizens.
Probably the most impressive bit about the Kia Carnival though is its generous boot space. With all the seats up, there is a massive 627 litres available, which is enough to fit two full-sized luggage bags, and then some.
If you fold the third row seats down, there is an absolutely colossal 2,827 litres of space. With that kind of capacity, you could throw in a couple of bicycles and an entire selection of Ikea flat-packed furniture and still have room to spare. Is the Kia Carnival Hybrid a worthy buy then?
While the Kia Carnival Hybrid is incredibly spacious and comfortable, even by large MPV standards, it doesn't exactly come cheap.
The 7-seater version as tested here retails for $287,999 with COE (as of June 2025). You can save a little bit if you opt for the 8-seater version, which goes for $281,999 with COE, but you lose the ultra-comfortable 'VIP lounge seats' in the second row in favour of a standard three-seater bench.
That said, it does have its appeal. The new hybrid powertrain is smooth and efficient, and the updates certainly give the Carnival a renewed sense of modernity. If you're looking for a large family MPV of the old-school, non-electric variety, the Kia Carnival Hybrid is a choice that's hard to ignore.
[[nid:714096]]
ben.chia@asiaone.com
No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
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AsiaOne
11 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Kia Carnival Hybrid review: Hybrid power and modern updates for a spacious family MPV, Lifestyle News
We've seen all manner of large MPVs go on sale in Singapore recently. Many of these are Chinese in origin, come filled with lots of fancy tech and luxury features, and feature some form of electrification, being either full electric vehicles (EVs), or plug-in hybrids. But what if you wanted something a bit more traditional and old-school? Well, there are a handful of MPVs that stick to the classic internal combustion route and one of them is the updated Kia Carnival tested here. What's new in the latest Kia Carnival? The updated Kia Carnival has received a mid-life facelift, and it gets some pretty substantial changes externally, internally and under the hood. On the outside, it gets a larger front grille that's flanked by vertical LED headlights on either side. The overall effect gives the car a more imposing look that gives it lots of presence, especially in the test car's black colour. The rear has also been slightly redesigned, with the taillights now extending downwards at both ends from the horizontal light bar. It's a small but significant change, and gives the Kia Carnival a futuristic look that wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi movie. The changes to the interior are somewhat more subtle, however. The most visible update is the driver instrument panel, which is now a fully digital item with a 12.3-inch display, instead of the previous analogue gauges. The controls on the dashboard have also been redesigned and refreshed, and features Kia's new switchable LCD display that can toggle between the controls for the air conditioning or media system. The biggest change to the Kia Carnival though, is under the bonnet, with the large MPV now swapping its previous 2.2-litre diesel engine for a 1.6-litre hybrid powerplant. Despite the downsized engine, it actually has more power than before. The new hybrid drivetrain now produces 241hp, an increase of 43hp over the diesel's 198hp. However, torque has been reduced to 366Nm, down from 440Nm previously. The car's gearbox also now has six speeds instead of its previous eight, and Kia says that hybrid drivetrain's power delivery reduces the need for more gears, as compared to the diesel powerplant which required more shifts. So how does the updated Kia Carnival Hybrid drive? The primary reason for the switch to hybrid power from diesel is down to the fact that Singapore has banned the registration of new diesel passenger cars from January 2025. [[nid:694420]] But while diesel enthusiasts may lament the loss of the plentiful torque of the old powerplant, the new hybrid drivetrain does bring about its own characteristics and benefits. For starters, it's no less responsive than the diesel, with the electric motor of the hybrid delivering an instant boost on acceleration with no lag. The transition from electric motor to petrol engine feels seamless as well, and the switch is virtually imperceptible. Smoothness is a pervasive theme with this car, and the Carnival impresses with its well-damped ride quality and excellent refinement. On smooth highways, the Kia Carnival glides along in great comfort and silence, while on rougher roads the suspension works well to ease out the bumps without feeling too ruffled. Of course, given the Carnival's stature as a large family MPV, one should not expect much in terms of nimbleness or agility. The steering is appropriately heavy, and while it's not exactly cumbersome to steer around corners, its size and weight is clearly evident to the driver. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Kia Carnival Hybrid delivers a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100km, which is actually not that far off from the diesel's figure of 6.8 litres per 100km. But of course, the fact that the hybrid allows for the ability to drive on electric power means that, on the whole, it is still considered greener and more efficient than the diesel-powered model. How does the Kia Carnival Hybrid fare as an MPV then? Given its size, it's no surprise that the Kia Carnival Hybrid is extremely spacious inside. After all, this is meant to be a car that can ferry seven people in comfort over long distances. The best seats in the house are arguably in the second row, with its pair of 'VIP lounge seats' (as Kia calls them) that can recline fully, and come with heating and ventilation functions as well. But even if you're confined to the third row, there's still plenty of room to accommodate full-sized adults without needing to contort yourself to get comfortable. As a nice touch, there are also comfort features like cupholders and sunshades, so that those in the back don't feel like second-class citizens. Probably the most impressive bit about the Kia Carnival though is its generous boot space. With all the seats up, there is a massive 627 litres available, which is enough to fit two full-sized luggage bags, and then some. If you fold the third row seats down, there is an absolutely colossal 2,827 litres of space. With that kind of capacity, you could throw in a couple of bicycles and an entire selection of Ikea flat-packed furniture and still have room to spare. Is the Kia Carnival Hybrid a worthy buy then? While the Kia Carnival Hybrid is incredibly spacious and comfortable, even by large MPV standards, it doesn't exactly come cheap. The 7-seater version as tested here retails for $287,999 with COE (as of June 2025). You can save a little bit if you opt for the 8-seater version, which goes for $281,999 with COE, but you lose the ultra-comfortable 'VIP lounge seats' in the second row in favour of a standard three-seater bench. That said, it does have its appeal. The new hybrid powertrain is smooth and efficient, and the updates certainly give the Carnival a renewed sense of modernity. If you're looking for a large family MPV of the old-school, non-electric variety, the Kia Carnival Hybrid is a choice that's hard to ignore. [[nid:714096]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
Business Times
19 hours ago
- Business Times
BYD Sealion 7 vs Tesla Model Y: Which should you buy?
[singapore] This fight was bound to happen. Once the world's single bestselling car, Tesla's Model Y has been the electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) to beat for years. So it's only natural that Chinese juggernaut BYD, now the world's leading electric vehicle (EV) maker, would come out swinging with the Sealion 7, a five-seat, battery-powered SUV designed to knock the crown clean off the Tesla's glass roof. In top Performance spec, BYD's Sealion 7 serves up 530 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a 0 to 100 kmh time of 4.5 seconds. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING BYD's Sealion 7 (above) is a five-seat, battery-powered SUV designed to knock the crown clean off the Tesla's glass roof. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING On paper, it's a close fight. In top Performance spec, the Sealion 7 serves up 530 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a 0 to 100 kmh time of 4.5 seconds. You can get similar pace from the Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive, which has 507 horsepower and takes 4.8 seconds to hit 100. Tesla's Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive has 507 horsepower and takes 4.8 seconds to hit 100. The new rear-wheel drive Juniper version sneaks under the Category A COE bar by offering just 150 horsepower. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING But for this test, I drove the new Juniper version of the Model Y in its most popular form, the rear-wheel drive (RWD) Singapore special that sneaks under the Category A Certificate Of Entitlement (COE) bar by offering just 150 horsepower. It accounts for some 80 per cent of local Model Y sales, which reveals how smart it was of Tesla to cull a few horses. The RWD version costs S$205,977 with COE, while the Sealion 7 Performance tested here costs S$219,888 with a Category B COE. The Tesla and BYD deliver nearly identical range (466 km and 460 km, respectively), and would make it to Kuala Lumpur on a single charge. Without leaving the country, most drivers here could comfortably go a week between plugging them in. Testing the least powerful Model Y against the most powerful Sealion 7 sounds like an unfair comparison, but in our market, the BYD would be more competitive if it came in tamer Category A form, not less. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Tesla has given the Model Y a raft of changes to keep it fresh for 2025, starting with clean new looks. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING Performance figures aside, what matters is what these cars are like to live with. Tesla has given the Model Y a raft of changes to keep it fresh for 2025, starting with clean new looks. The first Model Y's frog-like face is gone, replaced by sleeker, more angular lines and a full-width light bar at the front that gives it a faint whiff of Cybertruck. Interestingly, there's no Tesla badge on the nose anymore. Presumably, you're meant to just know. If you don't, you could always tuck behind the Model Y. The rear now sports a tidy design with Tesla lettering that's nicely illuminated by indirect lighting. The aerodynamics have improved slightly, too, with drag slipping from 0.23 Cd to 0.22 Cd, which is one reason the car's range has inched up. Next to it, the Sealion 7 looks overdesigned, with creases, curves and busy details like faux intakes and wheel arch cladding. But the panel gaps are tight and the bodywork lines up nicely, suggesting that quality is a priority at BYD. Unlike the Tesla, the Sealion 7 wears its brand's logo on its nose, but you could tell it's a BYD without it, with C-shaped LED headlights giving it a clear resemblance to the brand's latest cars. The Sealion 7's (above) cabin feels traditional in comparison to the Tesla's, with quilted leather, soft padded surfaces and a bank of actual buttons. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING Inside, the differences are just as stark. The Sealion 7's cabin feels traditional in comparison to the Tesla's, but that's not a bad thing. There's quilted leather, soft padded surfaces and a bank of actual buttons. You get a full driver display and a head-up display that helpfully shows sat-nav directions, so you never need to take your eye off the road. Both cars have huge, 15.6-inch touchscreens, but the Sealion's is easier to use, with more intuitive menus and a better navigation system. You can rotate it into portrait mode, a typical BTD move, unless you're using Apple CarPlay, which the Tesla doesn't support at all. The Tesla Model Y's interior is, as ever, minimalist to the point of abstraction. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING The Tesla interior is, as ever, minimalist to the point of abstraction. It's like someone took a regular car and shaved off every single extraneous detail with a scalpel. You don't even see the air-con vents, which are hidden behind a panel. The turn signal is a stalk (unlike the confusing button setup on the Model 3), and storage is thoughtfully designed, with covered compartments to keep everything looking tidy. Materials have improved slightly, and there's now ambient lighting and a new steering wheel that feels better to hold. But nearly everything still runs through that central screen. It handles drive modes, climate, media and your main driving info, all crammed into one space. There's no standalone display for a speedometer, to say nothing of a head-up display. It's clean, calming, even elegant, but if you want to see how fast you're going and look straight ahead at the same time, you're out of luck. In contrast, the Sealion 7 mixes tech with old-school convenience. There are physical toggles for the drive modes and regenerative braking levels, plus proper air-con vents that actually work. A clever shortcut lets you swipe three fingers across the screen to adjust temperature or fan speed instantly. If you're new to EVs, you'll find the BYD more familiar, and probably nicer to live with. There's more to get used to in the Tesla. That theme continues on the road. With its plush suspension, soft brake pedal and steering that's light to the point of vagueness, the BYD feels like a car tuned for comfort above all else. Yet, when you prod the accelerator it turns into a cannonball, flying down the road with an effortless whoosh, building speed rapidly and relentlessly. The Model Y, despite its modest output, feels surprisingly lively at lower speeds. Tesla's engineers clearly calibrated the torque delivery to give you a strong initial shove before things taper off, which makes city driving feel brisk. Overtaking on the highway takes commitment, but the chassis oozes class. Where the previous Model Y felt crashy and brittle, the Juniper rides with far more compliance and comfort. Despite being slower, it's the Tesla that is actually more engaging. There's more tautness to the way it turns and tracks through corners, it feels more composed, and it gives you more confidence. That said, the Sealion 7 claws back points in usability. It has a tighter turning circle, a 360-degree camera (useful in tight car parks) and noticeably stronger air-conditioning. When the weather turns infernal, as it seems to do so often these days, that alone might sway the vote, but the BYD does one better because its panoramic glass roof has a powered sunshade. The Model Y does without one, but Tesla claims its new coating rejects more heat than before. Your gently roasted scalp may disagree. The BYD (above) wins on rear seat space, with slightly more room, but the Tesla counters with fun stuff like a small screen in the back so kids can stream YouTube or Netflix. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING Both rear benches of the BYD and Tesla recline, but the Model Y's (above) seats do so electrically. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING The BYD wins on rear seat space, with slightly more room, but the Tesla counters with fun stuff like a small screen in the back so kids can stream YouTube or Netflix. Both rear benches recline, but the Model Y's seats do so electrically. That's useful in either car, because you can make more boot space by sitting upright, or recline for comfort when luggage isn't a priority. The Tesla's (above) boot is enormous for the car's size, with loads of underfloor storage and a front trunk that dwarfs the BYD's. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING The BYD Sealion 7's (above) boot is smaller than the Tesla's. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING And luggage is one area where the Tesla shines. Its boot is enormous for the car's size, with loads of underfloor storage and a front trunk that dwarfs the BYD's. Tesla's efficiency with packaging is genuinely impressive, and shows just how well they've nailed the art of arranging compact EV components to optimise space. All of which points to why the Model Y has been the benchmark EV for so long. It feels pared down and smart in how it approaches the idea of what a car should be. But it's equally clear that BYD has caught up. The Sealion 7 may not be as sleek or glamorous, but it's supremely usable. Features like the head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, physical switches, stronger climate control system, parking camera, sunshade and greater cabin space all make daily life more pleasant than in the Tesla. It's a less daunting prospect in terms of ownership, too, with a 10-year warranty for the battery, 10 years' free servicing and a six-year mechanical warranty. For its part, Tesla guarantees the battery for eight years, and the rest of the car for four. If the Performance version seems like overkill, the single-motor Sealion 7 Premium hits a sweet spot. It's less swift but nearly as well-equipped, and is the one that makes the most sense for day-to-day life. The Model Y (left) has been the benchmark EV for so long, but it's clear that BYD has caught up. PHOTO: BIG FISH PUBLISHING Either way, this is a punch-up with a clear outcome. In overall terms the Model Y feels better to drive, but the Sealion 7 feels like it would be better to live with. BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD Motor power/torque 530 hp/690 Nm Battery type/net capacity Lithium iron phosphate (LFP)/82.5 kWh Charging time/type Approx. 9 hours (11 kW AC), approx. 1 hour 10 to 80 per cent (150 kW DC) Range 460 km (WLTP) 0 to 100 kmh 4.5 seconds Top speed 215 kmh Efficiency 21.4 kWh/100 km Agent Vantage Automotive Price S$219,888 with COE Available Now Tesla Model Y RWD 110 Motor power/torque 150 hp/350 Nm Battery type/net capacity Lithium iron phosphate (LFP)/60 kWh (estimated) Charging time/type Approx 7.5 hours (11 kW AC), approx 25 minutes 10 to 80 per cent (175 kW DC) Range 466 km (WLTP) 0 to 100 kmh 9.6 seconds Top speed 201 kmh Efficiency 15.3 kWh/100 km Agent Tesla Singapore Price S$205,977 with COE Available Now
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
China issues rare earth licenses to suppliers of top 3 US automakers, sources say
New cars are seen in the yard of the General Motors factory in Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING/WASHINGTON - China has granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, two sources familiar with the matter said, as supply chain disruptions begin to surface from Beijing's export curbs on those materials. At least some of the licenses are valid for six months, the two sources said, declining to be named because the information is not public. It was not immediately clear what quantity or items are covered by the approval or whether the move signals China is preparing to ease the rare-earths licensing process, which industry groups say is cumbersome and has created a supply bottleneck. China's decision in April to restrict exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has tripped up the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. China's dominance of the critical mineral industry, key to the green energy transition, is increasingly viewed as a key point of leverage for Beijing in its trade war with US President Donald Trump. China produces around 90 per cent of the world's rare earths, and auto industry representatives have warned of increasing threats to production due to their dependency on it for those parts. Suppliers of three big US automakers, General Motors, Ford and Jeep-maker Stellantis got clearance for some rare earth export licenses on June 2, one of the two sources said. GM and Ford each declined to comment. Stellantis said it is working with suppliers 'to ensure an efficient licensing process' and that so far the company has been able to 'address immediate production concerns without major disruptions.' China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. China's critical-mineral export controls have become a focus on Mr Trump's criticism of Beijing, which he says has violated the truce reached last month to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. On June 5, Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a lengthy phone call to iron out trade differences. Mr Trump said in social-media post that 'there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.' Both sides said teams will meet again soon. US auto companies are already feeling the impact of the restrictions. Ford shut down production of its Explorer SUV at its Chicago plant for a week in May because of a rare-earth shortage, the company said. The approval for the auto suppliers follows a green light granted to a US electronics firm's suppliers last week and another one issued earlier this week to suppliers of a US non-auto company, the first person said, declining to name the companies. 'We have to give the Chinese the benefit of the doubt that they're working through this. It's up to them to show that they are not weaponizing it,' said the person. Reuters reported on June 4 that China has introduced a tracking system for its rare earth magnet sector in a move to improve its control over the sector and crackdown on smuggling. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
