Kia All New Carnival Interior Customization Review — 180cm Space

Transforming Your Kia All New Carnival: From 9-Seater to 4-Seater for Ultimate Camping

Considering a conversion for your Kia All New Carnival, moving from a 9-seater to a 4-seater configuration? Many car camping enthusiasts opt for this modification to maximize interior space and create a comfortable resting area. This review details the process and benefits of converting the All New Carnival's interior, focusing on achieving an expansive 180cm of flat space for car camping.

Pre-Conversion Inspection and Planning

Before any modifications, a thorough inspection of the vehicle's current interior structure is essential. The standard 9-seater layout (often 2-2-2-2-1 or 2-2-3) is typically adapted for car camping by retaining the first two rows of seats and removing or relocating the third row. At "Today's Car" in Uijeongbu, the process began with documenting the interior with photographs and assessing the condition of each seat rail. The team marked the original and intended positions for the seat rails. The All New Carnival features a highly standardized seat rail system, making structural modifications relatively straightforward compared to other models. However, meticulous attention to safety elements, such as seat bolt integrity and seatbelt repositioning, is paramount.

Seat Rail Modification and Installation Process

The core of this interior customization lies in modifying the seat rails. These rails allow seats to slide forward and backward, enabling a complete rearrangement of the interior layout. For the 9-to-4-seater conversion of the All New Carnival, the second-row seats are moved significantly forward, positioning them directly behind the first-row seats. The installation process involves:

1. Seat Removal: The second-row seats are detached from their original positions.
2. Rail Relocation: The existing seat rails are unbolted and then slid forward to the new designated positions.
3. Alignment and Securing: Precise alignment of the rails is critical; a slight deviation can cause seat instability or compromise safety. Professionals use leveling tools to ensure accuracy within 0.5 degrees.
4. Reinstallation: Once the rails are secured in their new locations, the seats are reattached.
5. Seatbelt Adjustment: The seatbelt receptacles are repositioned to match the new seat locations, ensuring compliance with safety standards.

This careful process ensures that the seats are not only repositioned but also remain secure and safe for all occupants.

Finishing the Floor and Maximizing Space

With the seat rails modified, the focus shifts to finishing the floor area, especially the space previously occupied by the third row. This area might reveal exposed wiring or components. The "Today's Car" team opted for a honeycomb-patterned floor mat (aftermarket honeycomb mat), a popular choice for car camping due to its breathability and resilience. This material easily springs back when pressed, making it ideal for creating a flat, comfortable sleeping surface. The 2-2 seating arrangement opens up a substantial new area behind the second-row seats. Measurements confirm that this space can exceed 180cm in depth, providing ample room for an adult to lie down comfortably. Choosing the right flooring is also important; the honeycomb pattern offers superior moisture resistance and easier cleaning compared to standard urethane mats, which can absorb moisture and pose a mold risk. This breathable structure aids in better humidity management within the vehicle.