Carnival's 22-Year Journey: From Criticized Minivan to National Dad Car Champion

After a 22-year evolution since its debut in 1998, the Kia Carnival has firmly established itself as the reigning champion in the RV market.

Early models faced heavy criticism for excessive vibration and resonance issues in the second and third rows, leading to complaints of motion sickness. These persistent problems continued through the second and third generations, with some even quipping that its only advantage was using the highway's dedicated lanes.

However, the fourth-generation Carnival, launched in 2020, has completely flipped the script. It has been adopted as the official vehicle for lawmakers and has become the preferred choice for celebrities over traditional luxury vans like the Starcraft. The notorious vibrations and bothersome resonance have been significantly reduced, leading to a dramatic improvement in ride comfort.

The Carnival now stands out as a dominant force among its peers in the RV and SUV segments. Its interior design and ride quality surpass those of competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. The steering, characterized by its agility and smoothness, offers a vastly superior driving experience compared to previous generations. The vehicle's remarkable smoothness, despite weighing 2115kg, is truly astonishing.

Furthermore, the hybrid model's fuel efficiency, exceeding 14 km/l, has been a major draw for consumers hesitant about purchasing an RV. This has propelled it to become an undisputed bestseller in South Korea, with a waiting period of up to 10 months. It's possible that the Carnival's golden age has yet to arrive, with aspirations of becoming a global benchmark for RVs.

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