Kia All New Carnival Soft Closing Retrofit Review

Adding Luxury with Soft-Closing Doors on the Kia All New Carnival

Soft-closing doors, often referred to as 'ghost doors,' are a hallmark of luxury vehicles, automatically pulling the door shut completely even if not fully closed. While not a factory option on the Kia All New Carnival, many owners seek aftermarket solutions to add this convenience. This review details a soft-closing installation performed at a specialist shop, examining the process, benefits, and overall value.

Vehicle: Kia All New Carnival
Service: Soft-Closing (S-CLOSING) System
Installation Type: Door latch replacement automatic closing system
Affected Doors: Driver, Passenger, Sliding Doors
Location: Specialist workshop (as performed in Korea)
Estimated Installation Time: Approximately 2-3 hours (including testing)

Why Soft-Closing is a Premium Feature

Beyond mere convenience, soft-closing doors signify a touch of luxury. The system uses an integrated electric actuator within the door latch. When the door is partially closed, this mechanism detects it and automatically pulls it the rest of the way, ensuring a secure and quiet closure. This is particularly beneficial for children or elderly passengers who may not be able to close the door with sufficient force.

The fundamental difference between a standard door latch and a soft-closing one lies in the closing action. Standard latches require manual force to fully engage. Soft-closing systems, however, achieve 'automatic complete closure.' Once the door makes contact with the striker, an internal motor activates, gently and quietly completing the closing process in about 0.5 to 1 second.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Soft-Closing for the Carnival

When the Kia All New Carnival was initially released, soft-closing was not offered as a factory option, likely due to cost considerations for its segment. However, demand from owners has led to the development of reliable aftermarket solutions. While factory-installed options offer perfect integration from the design phase, reputable aftermarket kits, like those installed by specialists, have undergone extensive testing and offer high reliability. When installed correctly by a skilled technician, the user experience can be virtually indistinguishable from an OEM system.

Installation Process:

The installation of a soft-closing system does not require damaging the vehicle's body or removing original parts. The process is focused on replacing the existing door latches.

1. Door Panel Removal: The interior door panel is carefully removed to access the internal components. This typically takes about 15 minutes and requires delicate handling to avoid damaging clips.
2. Latch Replacement: The original door latch is replaced with a new unit that incorporates the soft-closing motor. This step, taking around 20 minutes, is critical for 'point alignment.' The new latch must precisely match the vehicle's striker for the system to function correctly; even a fraction of a millimeter of misalignment can impede operation.
3. Electrical Wiring: Wiring is connected to supply power to the new motor. This part of the process takes approximately 30 minutes and involves integrating the system with the vehicle's existing electrical architecture.
4. Testing and Reassembly: After all connections are made, the system is tested to ensure smooth operation. The door panel is then reinstalled.

The entire installation for multiple doors typically takes between 2 to 3 hours. The estimated cost for this retrofit in Korea is around 150,000 KRW or more, which translates to approximately $150+ USD, depending on the specific kit and number of doors serviced.