“Make folks movers nice once more” – clearly that was Kia’s motto with the Carnival.
Following on from its top-selling predecessor, the present fourth-generation Kia Carnival as asserted its dominance over the MPV section even additional since its launch in 2021 – capitalising on the demise of section stalwarts just like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Tarago.
The place its forebears have been unashamedly frumpy vans targeted totally on maximising house for folks, Kia determined to do what Honda did with the third-generation Odyssey of the 2000s and attempt to make folks movers attractive once more – this time, by making it look extra like an SUV, or ‘Grand Utility Automobile’ as Kia known as it at launch.
Sporting an extended bonnet, chunkier bumpers and general a extra adventurous look, the Kia Carnival has clearly struck a chord with crossover-loving Australians.
The most important Kia in Australia is so common it now owns some 85 per cent of the native folks mover beneath $70,000 section, and wait lists are out the wazoo. It outsells its subsequent closest rival in quantity – the associated Hyundai Staria – by nearly 10 to 1.
Right here on check we have now arguably essentially the most in-demand Carnival variant in Australia too, the 2023 Kia Carnival Platinum 2.2D.
Native clients’ love for top-of-the-range variants has seen the Platinum account for the majority of the Carnival’s native gross sales combine, and the toughest hit by wait occasions and provide constraints.
With a facelifted mannequin on the horizon, is it nonetheless price lining up for?
How a lot does the Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel value?
Keep in mind the individuals who mentioned “I’ll by no means pay greater than $60,000 for a Kia”?
The diesel-powered Carnival Platinum is the last word variant in Australia; priced from $67,580 earlier than on-road prices or $71,890 drive-away based mostly on a Melbourne postcode.
It represents a $3000 premium over the three.5-litre V6 model, which has been very tight for provide in latest occasions.
That places it in keeping with the likes of the Hyundai Staria Highlander 2.2D AWD ($67,000), LDV MIFA Luxe ($72,990 D/A), Toyota Granvia (from $67,250) and Volkswagen Multivan TDI320 Comfortline ($67,290).
It additionally serves as a extra reasonably priced various to the premium-branded Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer (from $78,515) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (from $112,816).
2023 Kia Carnival pricing:
Kia Carnival S V6: $47,480Kia Carnival S Diesel: $49,480Kia Carnival Si V6: $52,980Kia Carnival Si Diesel: $54,980Kia Carnival SLi V6: $57,780Kia Carnival SLi Diesel: $59,780Kia Carnival Platinum V6: $65,580Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel: $67,580
Costs exclude the on-road prices
What’s the Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel like on the within?
The Carnival’s cabin hasn’t modified since this present technology launched, but it surely’s nonetheless a benchmark – even when it’s lacking promised options out there in different markets.
With a extra passenger car-like or SUV-like appear and feel, the Carnival has a well-known and comfy vibe inside that’s much less utilitarian than most van-based folks movers. Good supplies, comfy seating and wonderful cabin house are all highlights.
Up entrance the driving force and passenger are handled to comfy electrical entrance seats within the Platinum, that includes heating and cooling capabilities in addition to reminiscence presets for the driving force.
The entrance passenger seat has the standard high-end Hyundai/Kia/Genesis chauffeur buttons on the within bolster, permitting the driving force or a rear passenger to regulate the entrance seat place to permit for more room within the second row or simpler entry.
Forward of the driving force the Carnival Platinum misses out on the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster supplied regionally on the associated Sorento in addition to the Hyundai Santa Fe and Palisade, which additionally means it lacks the swish Blind Spot View Monitor cameras that mission reside feeds into the cluster whenever you point out. Disgrace.
It’s in any other case typical high-grade Kia within the sense it appears and feels upmarket and the infotainment is stable, within the case of the Carnival scoring a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen than the likes of the Sorento and Santa Fe, which make do with a smaller 10.25-inch show that’s in any other case equivalent by way of software program and format.
With crisp graphics, fast response and loading occasions, in addition to a comparatively fulsome characteristic suite – together with satellite tv for pc navigation, DAB radio in addition to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – the Carnival’s infotainment nonetheless stays one of many section benchmarks.
Small gripes embrace the continuing lack of wi-fi smartphone mirroring in Hyundai and Kia fashions fitted with embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, in addition to no Kia Join net-based and distant companies – although it will probably be addressed with the upcoming mid-life replace.
Audio high quality from the Platinum’s 12-speaker Bose-branded premium sound system is likewise superb, providing clear and deep audio with out shaking the cabin trims or home windows such as you’ll discover in rival vans – the Hyundai Staria received fairly buzzy at excessive quantity in my expertise.
Bodily controls for the tri-zone local weather controls are welcome, with all of the switchgear ergonomically organised and positioned inside simple attain of the entrance occupants. The amount and tuning dials are additionally good, given so many rival producers hold including finicky touch-based switchgear as of late.
Storage and practicality are good however not excellent. There’s a helpful tray beneath the centre stack with a wi-fi telephone charging pad, inside simple attain of the trio of USB-A ports – one for smartphone mirroring, the opposite two for charging – and likewise accompanied by a small slot for smaller gadgets like keys or a pockets.
A pair of cupholders line the centre console alongside the rotary shift-by-wire dial, forward of a small tray and a deep cubby beneath the chunky front-centre armrest.
Nevertheless, the thin door bins received’t take bigger bottles, which is irritating whenever you consider the varied sizes and shapes of the kind of bottles and different paraphernalia mother and father with babies want to hold.
The second and third rows are the place the Carnival actually stands out in comparison with a similarly-priced SUV, providing acres of house for teenagers, adults and cargo the like.
Three particular person seats within the second row are teamed with heaps of leg room, knee room, toe room and toe room, with all three pews individually adjustable on rails in addition to having adjustable backrests. ISOFIX factors are fitted to the outboard seats in each the second and third rows, which might be helpful for folks of a number of little ones.
Facilities embrace handbook rear sunblinds on the home windows, a hard and fast sunroof panel that lets a lot extra mild in, cup holders on the rear of the centre console with a 12V energy outlet, USB-A cost ports on the backs of each entrance seats, in addition to roof-mounted air vents with separate local weather controls.
The third row is accessible by the use of fast launch controls on the outboard seats, which fold and slide the second-row pews out of the best way when you open the swish powered sliding doorways. Even at 6’1 I can get in and be comfy within the third row, which additionally has three seats, although it’s not fairly as spacious because the second.
You possibly can simply accommodate seven adults throughout three rows simply high-quality, however eight could be at a pinch as a consequence of that skinny centre seat within the third row. Youngsters might be high-quality again there, and oldsters doing driver responsibility to sports activities video games will love the actual fact you’ll be able to match all of the little ones and all of their stuff within the Carnival, which isn’t at all times doable in massive SUVs.
There are additionally further USB-A ports, cup holders and a 12V energy socket within the rear space, and even with all three rows of seating in use there’s nonetheless a large 627 litres (VDA) of obtainable cargo quantity. I’ve match loads of luggage and vacation gear behind the Carnival’s third row previously, and it’s very spectacular.
If you’re not shuttling your village of household and associates round, the Carnival’s third row of seating neatly folds into the ground, opening up 2785L (VDA) of cargo quantity, which is greater than most massive SUVs with each the second and third rows folded.
You possibly can maximise ground size by sliding the second row all the best way ahead, and for additional lengthy gadgets it’s also possible to take away the centre rear seat completely for a seven-seat format. Sadly, Australia misses out on the second-row captain’s chairs supplied in different markets, in addition to Korea’s bus-like 9-seat and 11-seat inside choices.
The Carnival’s space-saver spare wheel isn’t mounted beneath the boot ground. As a substitute, it’s beneath the footwell of the second-row seats.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Diesel variations of the Carnival are powered by a 2.2-litre CRDi four-cylinder turbo-diesel carrying the model’s efficiency-focused Smartstream branding.
Outputs are rated at 148kW (3800rpm) and 440Nm (1750-2750rpm), with drive despatched completely to the entrance wheels by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission.
The transmission is the important thing distinction between the Carnival and its Sorento platform mate, with the SUV working the identical diesel engine however driving all 4 wheels by way of an eight-speed dual-clutch computerized.
Claimed gas consumption is rated at a frugal 6.5L per 100km on the mixed cycle for the diesel. The gas tank measures 72 litres in capability.
As famous earlier, the Carnival can also be out there with a 216kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol, which quotes gas use of 9.6L/100km on the mixed cycle.
Diesel variations of the Carnival quote a most kerb weight of 2134kg – 2kg lower than the V6 – whereas braked towing capability is rated at 2000kg with a 200kg most towball obtain.
How does the Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel drive?
Should you’re involved folks movers nonetheless drive like utilitarian vans, the Carnival is right here to show you improper.
Sharing underpinnings with Hyundai and Kia’s acclaimed SUV vary and that includes an area trip and dealing with tune, the Carnival is among the greatest folks movers to drive, regardless of pricing and segmentation.
It has a very acquainted, car-like or crossover-like really feel to the best way it will get round, with clean and fluid driver controls, nice consolation and refinement, in addition to responsive efficiency.
The turbo-diesel motor beneath the bonnet of our tester is a good stability of pulling energy and economic system, and whereas not as fast or rev-happy because the silky clean V6 petrol, the oiler canes the petrol for easy efficiency and gas economic system.
My time with the Carnival was spent commuting to and from the workplace throughout the week in peak-hour site visitors by means of the outskirts of Melbourne’s CBD and the japanese suburbs, after which over the weekend I piled some associates in and headed as much as Lake Eildon in Victoria’s north east.
For each day duties, the Carnival is superb. It’s a pleasing and comfy factor to reside with regardless of its measurement, with predictable dealing with, refined efficiency and all-round consolation. The Carnival is as at residence placing across the suburbs for the grocery run or college drop-off as it’s at 100km/h on the freeway.
The diesel engine does exhibit that signature diesel clatter at idle and beneath laborious acceleration, although it’s fairly well-muted in comparison with some extra agricultural business van-based competitors. It’ll run out of puff on the high finish, so greatest to drive it in a measured method to get the most effective out of it.
Visibility is superb due to the huge glasshouse, and on the flipside the cabin is an ethereal and spacious place to be, aided by the Platinum’s dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
Encompass cameras on this specification and large facet mirrors make for easy-ish parking – bear in mind this factor is huge – and physique management is properly sorted when navigating sweeping corners on high-speed nation roads in addition to when threading by means of tight metropolis streets.
Throughout my weekend street journey, which included scaling Victoria’s legendary Black Spur, the Carnival impressed with its safe dealing with and tight physique management. Regardless of its measurement, it doesn’t deal with like a land yacht.
With all 440Nm on faucet from simply 1750rpm, the diesel Carnival has loads of shove to sort out hills and energy out of tight bends, even with 4 adults on board and loads of baggage for a weekend away.
If it’s essential to dial up the response, you’ll be able to flick it into Sport mode which sharpens throttle response, companies up the steering weight and applications the transmission to carry gears longer. I used to be happier to go away it within the adaptive Sensible setting and let the automobile cycle between profiles itself based mostly on the situations, and it did a fairly good job.
Insulation from street and wind noise can also be spectacular for the category, saved to respectable ranges and permitting occupants throughout all rows to take care of a standard dialog on the transfer.
The Carnival’s upmarket techy vibe carries to the driving force help suite which is fairly complete, other than the dearth of Kia’s trick Blind Spot View Monitor system that’s been forbidden fruit for our market.
Normal adaptive cruise management and Lane Following Help (energetic centring) take the load off longer freeway stints, and facilitate what’s successfully Degree 2 autonomous driving.
It’s one of many higher methods in the marketplace by way of person friendliness, although I perceive some drivers received’t like the sensation of the car consistently correcting the steering.
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic help additionally go one step additional than ‘monitoring’ methods by autonomously including steering correction or making use of the brakes to keep away from collisions with approaching autos.
What do you get?
Carnival S highlights:
17-inch alloy wheelsLED headlightsLED daytime working lightsAuto headlights, excessive beam8 seats4.2-inch supervision cluster8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto6-speaker audioAir conditioningRear parking sensorsTilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Carnival Si provides:
18-inch alloy wheelsLED tail lightsFront parking sensors12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment systemSatellite navigationWired Apple CarPlay, Android AutoLeather-wrapped steering wheel, shifterDual-zone local weather management
Carnival SLi provides:
Encompass-view cameraKeyless entry and startPower sliding doorsHands-free energy tailgate10-way energy driver’s seat with two-way lumbarAuto-dimming electrochromic rear-view mirrorLED entrance fog lightsRear privateness glass
Carnival Platinum provides:
Bose 12-speaker sound system19-inch black alloy wheelsDual sunroofs12-way energy driver’s seat with four-way lumbar8-way energy entrance passenger seatMatte chrome exterior trimPaddle shiftersHeated steering wheelHeated and ventilated entrance seatsHeated rear seatsAmbient lightingLED inside lightingRear occupant alertWireless telephone charging
Is the Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel secure?
The Carnival vary acquired a five-star ANCAP security score in January 2021.
It scored 90 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for youngster occupant safety, with a 68 per cent and 82 per cent for susceptible street person and security help respectively.
Normal security options embrace:
7 airbags incl. driver’s kneeAutonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)Pedestrian, Bike owner detectionJunction assistBlind-spot assistDriver consideration monitoringLane departure warningLane Following Help (lane centring)Lane-keep assistRear cross-traffic alertSafe Exit Warning
Carnival SLi provides:
Round View Monitor (360 cameras)Rear cross-traffic assistSafe Exit Help
How a lot does the Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel value to run?
As with the broader Kia vary, the Carnival is roofed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
There’s additionally as much as eight years of complimentary roadside help when you service inside Kia’s authorised seller community, and there’s capped-price servicing all through the guarantee interval.
Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Costs per go to are listed under.
Kia Carnival 2.2D service pricing:
1yr or 15,000km: $3562yrs or 30,000km: $6163yrs or 45,000km: $4304yrs or 60,000km: $8055yrs or 75,000km: $4006yrs or 90,000m: $7847yrs or 105,000km: $425
As famous earlier, mixed gas consumption is listed at a claimed 6.5L per 100km on the mixed cycle, not dangerous for an enormous bus.
I achieved an indicated 7.5L/100km throughout my week of testing, which is slightly up on the declare however fairly good nonetheless, contemplating I blended in peak-hour commuting within the metropolis with some freeway driving and a street journey out to Lake Eildon in Victoria’s north east with folks and package on board.
Based mostly on the 72-litre gas tank, my real-world gas consumption would equate to nearly 1000km between fills.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel
It’s plain to see why the Carnival is at present the gross sales chief within the folks mover class.
The large ol’ Kia isn’t simply the folks’s alternative, it’s an goal benchmark for MPVs throughout each mainstream and premium manufacturers due to its near-perfect mix of consolation and utility.
It drives properly too, and there’s one thing to be mentioned concerning the truth it’s not an SUV like every little thing else on the roads as of late – even when Kia calls it a Grand Utility Automobile (GUV).
The diesel is the decide of the powertrain vary too. No, it doesn’t supply all-wheel drive just like the Hyundai Staria 2.2D or the associated Kia Sorento, however the oiler is in any other case properly suited to carting across the total household after which some, while additionally sustaining a really respectable stage of effectivity to maintain working prices low.
Few different autos in the marketplace are as well-equipped to deal with no matter households can throw at it, and it’s far much less compromised by way of cabin packaging to an equal SUV – no manner a Sorento will haul what this could.
Like I discussed earlier, Kia ought to be applauded for making folks movers cool once more, very like Honda did practically 20 years in the past. Carnivals aren’t simply common with fleets, but in addition with personal consumers regardless of the present SUV craze.
It’s a disgrace Australia continues to overlook out on numerous high-end options that will carry the Carnival Platinum in keeping with different top-spec Hyundai and Kia choices, resembling a digital instrument cluster, computerized wipers, and blind-spot cameras.
Like I mentioned earlier, although, there are few automobiles in the marketplace that may do what the Carnival can do, particularly for the cash.
Right here’s to hoping the upcoming facelift addresses the above complains, and likewise brings the mooted petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain that’s already supplied within the Sorento, Santa Fe, and shortly Sportage in Australia. Kia would solely tighten its stronghold in the marketplace with the only electrified MPV providing within the mainstream class.
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