Kia Carnival – Its been a year since we last drove the Kia Carnival so it was time to refresh our memory of how good this people mover is.
We drove the Platinum version so it came with all the bells and whistles for comfort luxury and safety.
For a people mover it looks pretty dam good and much smaller on the outside than it actually is.
Inside the first impression is space. Its huge and well planned. Front seats are like lounge chairs with heating and ventilation, electric adjustments and for my ageing back additional lumbar support for the driver
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Middle row seats are excellent and can be slid forward or back. Third row seats are why you should buy this over a seven seat SUV. They have plenty of room for even taller teenagers and the fact they fold out of the floor provides cavernous luggage capacity even with 8 people on board.
Carnival drives like an SUV, which it essentially is sharing the platform with SUVs. Although there is both petrol and diesel engine options I would chose the 2.2L diesel with super smooth 8 SP AT every time. It provides more than response when needed and is economical as well.
Kia Carnival is priced from $51,690 through to $71,890 plus the usual costs
This is a Motoring Minute
Im Rob Fraser
What is good? |
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What is not so good? |
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People movers are a dying breed of vehicle. Often, mistakenly, replaced by seven seat SUVs, which don’t provide the same level of practical functionality. You could look at the Hyundai Staria people, VW Multivan, Toyota Granvia, Mazda CX-9, Mercedes Benz Vito or Hyundai Palisade
More Carnival thoughts
- This is my favourite people mover
- No AWD version or Hybrid version. How good would this be to take to the snow with AWD
- Safety features are particularly good
- In typical Kia fashion its absolutely packed with little luxuries for the occupants
- Kids love it
- Sounds of nature is a cool feature
- Internal layout is like a lounge room for the driver and passengers
- The ability to slide the middle row of seats is a bonus
- The fact that you have to remove the middle row seats to get a flat load area is a pain, but not sure how else they could do it
- A reclining foot rest like the Granvia would be appreciated, (well we can but ask!)
- Luggage capacity is awesome, especially with the third row seats in use, the well they come from is large enough for my bigger than the average bear frame to sit in. It literally swallows luggage
- Even though the Carnival is well laid out and immensely practical its could use a freshen up in a few areas
- Other models have the indicator camera in the dash dials, Carnival doesn’t yet
- Wireless Apple CarPlay would be appreciated on variants other than the “S” model
- Doesn’t have a full size spare wheel, but can be ordered with one as an option
- Pick the diesel version every time. Its powerful enough, matches perfectly the mapping of the 8 Sp AT and drives like an SUV and is so economical considering the size.
- Speaking of size, the designers have done and excellent job of making it look smaller than it actually is
Some other Kia Carnival Articles
- Favourite cars of mine
- 2021 Carnival Platinum 2.2d 2021 Review
- Carnival Platinum Diesel 2021 Review
- 2021 Carnival Platinum 2.2L 2021 Review
- KIA launches the all new Carnival
- 2020 Kia releases the all new Carnival in 2021
- Kia’s new Carnival keeps the legend alive
- MY21 Kia introduces all-new Carnival MY21
- David Browns Dream Car
- 2019 Carnival SLi Diesel Review
- Kia’s Carnival Best Choice for Larger Families
- 2019 Kia Carnival Platinum Review
- Kia Carnival – 7 Best Features that make it an awesome family wagon
- 2018 Kia Carnival S Review
- 2018 Kia’s Carnival Launch Review
- 2016 Kia Carnival SLi 2.2l CDi Review
- 2012 Kia Grand Carnival on Sesame Street for Elmo’s World Tour
- 2011 Kia Carnival Model Upgrade – News
Kia Carnival |
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| Model | Platinum 2.2L |
| Model Price | $71,890 RDAP |
| Engine | 2.2L 4Cyl Turbo Diesel |
| Drivetrain | 8 Sp Sports AT FWD |
| Power | 148kW @ 3,800rpm |
| Torque | 440Nm @ 1,750-2,750rpm |
| Safety | Five Star ANCAP (tested Jan 2021) |
| 0-100kmh / Top Speed | TBA |
| CO2 Emissions | 170 g/km Euro 5 |
| Economy ADR | 6.5L/100km / 72L capacity |
| Economy on test | 8.1L/100k |
| Servicing | 15Mth / 12000km Capped Price |
| Warranty | 7yr/ Unlimited km |
| Road side Assist | 7Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)
Overall Rating |
87/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 8 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Ride and Handling | 9 |
| Practicality | 9 |
| Fit for Purpose | 9 |
| Styling / Appeal | 9 |
| Technology/connectivity | 8 |
| Value for Money | 9 |
Dimensions |
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| Overall Length | 5155mm |
| Wheelbase | 3090mm |
| Width | 1995mm |
| Height | 1775mm |
| Wheels | 19×7.5 Alloy |
| Tyres | 235/55 R19 |
| Max ground clearance | Up to 172mm |
| Wading Depth | N/A |
| Approach | N/A |
| Rampover | N/A |
| Departure angle | N/A |
| Turning Circle KTK | 11.7m |
| Boot Capacity Min | 1139L |
| Boot capacity Max | 2461L |
| Kerb Weight | 2134kg |
| Payload (kg) | 742kg |
| GVM (kg) | 2876kg |
| GCM | 4876kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2000kg |
| Tow Ball rating | 200kg |
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