Who says short isn’t fun? The Kia Carnival LX may be smaller and have less power-assisted features as well as amenities, but it delivers just as much fun, convenience and value.

AFTER the Kia Carnival EX established a more than respectable impression with this writer, Columbian Autocars Corp.’s Chut Velasquez made it a double whammy by offering another spin, this time in the Carnival LX, a shorter version of Kia’s celebrated minivan.

Having been overwhelmed by the EX, this writer somewhat expected that the LX would greatly pale in comparison.  Nothing could have been more wrong.   

Minor concession One feature the EX has that the LX doesn’t is the fold-flat third-row seat, which some owners would like to have.

Just like its longer sibling, the LX was just as well-built and engineered. Door and panel gap tolerances were tight and consistent, all rubber seals showed proper fitting. All doors close and open smoothly.

Again, taking a cue from the EX, the LX’s two front doors are conventional with sliding doors on each side.  The only thing missing was the power-assisted door opener, which was a heaven send on the EX.

Although the LX sits on a shorter wheelbase, it can seat seven full-sized adults comfortably—eight albeit snugly. The second row, which is equipped with three individually adjustable seats, can be flipped, folded and slid forward to allow access to the 60:40-split third row.

One feature the EX has that the LX doesn’t is the fold-flat third-row seat, which some owners would like to have.

Trizone air conditioning provides more than decent cooling to all three rows and no less than eight cupholders are located all over the cabin. Up front, there are two glove compartments and a center console. Onboard entertainment comes in the form of an AM-FM-cassette-MP3-CD stereo system connected to six speakers, which produce professional audio quality.

On the road, the Carnival LX provides comfort that is as good as it gets. Fully independent suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a multilink setup in the rear, and front and rear stabilizer bars give excellent stability during cornering and effectively dial out vibration. Road noise is almost nonexistent, thanks to the insulation of the chassis.

Unlike the slight sluggishness at the wheel of the longer EX, the LX proved to be more nimble and confidence-inspiring. The shorter wheelbase makes it lively to drive with just a tad of understeer to ensure safety. The LX inspired so much confidence on the road because of its tame demeanor, easy-to-judge dimensions and lightness that this writer’s wife commented, “I wouldn’t mind owning one of these!”

Just as in the EX, the LX is powered by a 2.9-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder, DOHC, CRDi turbo-diesel engine that’s capable of 160 ps of power at 3,800 rpm and 35 Nm of torque between 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.  A smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode gives the driver flexibility in the city and highway.     

The LX should be an excellent alternative for those who want to enjoy the advantages and convenience of a Carnival but whose budgets put the no-holds-barred EX and its P1.57-million price tag a little beyond reach.  For P1.29 million worth of fuel-efficiency, convenience and reliability, what’s there to think about?

AFTER the Kia Carnival EX established a more than respectable impression with this writer, Columbian Autocars Corp.’s Chut Velasquez made it a double whammy by offering another spin, this time in the Carnival LX, a shorter version of Kia’s celebrated minivan.

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