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The Kia Carnival was a great friend to our family. When I was a teenager, it was a comfortable companion that helped us travel around the country. I remember staying in the car as if it was our family's second house. After I became twenty, it made me a lot of precious memories of taking my friends to the mountains and beaches.
Carnival has always been that way; a trustworthy friend you can rely on when all of you hit the road together. 20 years later since I met Carnival, we met again. As I grew older and made my own family, Carnival also changed a lot. I guess it would feel like I am proud to see a friend who became successful after all these years.
The fourth-generation Carnival, which embraced numerous new technologies while being reborn, greeted me with a more generous and comfortable arm. I was able to realize the amazing changes of the carnival just by looking at it. The dynamic shape of the daytime running lights and headlamps harmonize with the radiator grille to create a grand atmosphere, and the C-pillar decoration engraved with a three-dimensional pattern adds sophistication to the long body.
The rear has also changed significantly from the Carnival I used to know. The tail lamp that extends from side to side emphasizes stability and existence across the full body. As such, the new Carnival adds a dynamic and grand feeling to the comfort-oriented minivan. This indeed was reborn as an SUV-like vehicle.
The interior has also undergone a surprising change. It upgraded the cabin by adding advanced materials and state-of-the-art technology to a usual comfortable and relaxing Carnival. The sophisticated design of the air vent that runs through the center of the dashboard, a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, and a panoramic display incorporating a navigation system made the Carnival feel like a car that cares not only for the family but also for the driver.
The new, luxurious front seats caught my attention, but my biggest interest was actually in the rear seats where my family members would sit on; there was a good reason I chose the 7-seater model in the first place. I often imagined traveling with my wife, parents, and my future children on a two-row premium relaxation seat that was as comfortable as business-class seats.
With the push of a button, the two-row premium relaxation seat distributes the body weight concentrated on the hips and waist to create a comfortable resting position. It was a necessary feature when I think of the image of my wife, who buries herself in a reclining chair in the living room after work, and falls asleep. I thought it would be perfect for traveling with my parents with aching legs and backs.
One of the most surprising features was that the driver could control the second-row seats. The backrest of the second-row seats could be tilted and the heating wires can be turned on so that families who have fallen into a sweet sleep can sleep more comfortably. The car looked even more valuable when I could see how it takes care of families.
The third-row seats, which you don't usually use, are good for storing luggage after you fold them onto the floor. You can easily load the stroller without folding it up, and it would be nice to load a lot of equipment when you go camping with your children later. This time I visited the beach; it has been so long, and I got to have some time for myself. I pretty much enjoyed watching the ocean, imagining my future with my family.
I turned around and hit the road again to the coastal roads I found when I was dating my wife back then. In fact, this is a beautiful road I first discovered when I traveled with my parents 20 years ago. Since the road is narrow and there are many corners that make it hard to drive, it is a great place to slow down enjoy the scenery around. As I watched the waves dancing as if they were right in front of me, I slowly recalled old memories.
Carnival back then is the first generation model. It was already convenient enough to be a family car, but I remember driving itself was not so much enjoyable as cars these days. However, the 4th Generation Carnival, which was reborn as a new family car, has a grand design, a spacious and luxurious cabin, and even features that attract the drivers.
Diesel model with generous power and economy, and gasoline model with smooth engine rotation and excellent quietness. Any trim offers enjoyable handling no matter which option you choose. The stability and comfort of driving on the highway make it reasonable why Carnival is loved by so many - plus the advanced driver assistance features that will keep our families safe. I am looking forward to making more memories with my family, added to those from my childhood; with Carnival, my life will become much more colorful.
