The Carnival continues to be a popular attraction, despite people movers making way for SUVs.
Like Toyota did with Tarago’s radical rebirth as the ‘egg’ in the 1990s, Kia has rewritten the people mover rules to produce a GUV (Grand Utility Vehicle).
The Carnival is quite unlike any car we’ve crafted before, says the South Korean carmaker. Fusing SUV-inspired design with a unique attitude, the Carnival uses progressive styling that boasts an aesthetic like no other.
Featuring a luxurious interior for eight, lavishly equipped with next-generation Kia technology, the Carnival allows driver and passengers to travel in grand comfort and style. “We didn’t just build a people mover; we upgraded it to a GUV (Grand Utility Vehicle).”
The ‘Grandeur’ did not come without its sacrifices: Carnival no longer comes to market under 50 grand and the flagship GT-Line tops off the fleet at $72,910. Choose from SmartStream 3.5-litre V6 petrol or a SmartStream 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine for an efficient everyday drive.
A smooth eight-speed automatic transmission is available on both models. A hybrid, to surface soon, will make use of a 1.6-litre petrol motor.
With five Carnival variants, prices open at $50,150, plus on road costs for the petrol V6 S, while the range tops out at $72,910 for the GT-Line diesel. On test was the GT-Line Lite diesel on offer for $68,580. The GT-Line HEV hybrid will top out the lot at $76,210 when it arrives.
The Carnival continues to be backed by Kia’s seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and free one-year roadside assistance.
STYLING
The MY25 Carnival may be big, but on the outside, designers were unashamedly worshipping at the altar of modern-day minimalism. It’s smooth going all round, with nary a hint of unnecessary embellishment.
Not that it’s bland, by any means. Kia says it called on the electric EV9 and reworked ICE SUV Sorento with the new car’s pedigree. Unlike other models of its ilk, new Carnival owes more to the SUV than the van.
A broader grille, flanked by vertical LED headlamps, and LED daytime running lights give the Carnival a solid stance, while the clean uncomplicated rear is highlighted by a full width LED strip.
The GUV rides on large 19-inch machined alloy wheels, with styling cues lifted from the EV9. There’s no fighting for attention from laidback chrome styling elements.
INTERIOR
The Carnival is built for transporting big families and their clobber. With improved interior dimensions due to a longer wheelbase, increased length and width, generous leg, head and shoulder room is available all around.
As well as seating for eight, there is still generous luggage space of 627 litres with all seat backs up. Folding down the second and third row exposes an incredible 2827 litres of luggage space. Second-row seats also fold down and slide forward, while a 60:40 split third row gives even greater flexibility.
Power sliding rear doors open automatically after a few seconds when a smart key is detected next to the vehicle. Similarly, power tailgate auto-close shuts automatically when it detects the user with the smart key leaving.
Three-step adjustable ventilated front seats and heated front and rear seats offer a comfortable travelling environment. With 12-way power driver’s seat including four-way lumbar support and two memory settings, preferred exterior mirror and driver seat positions can also be stored.
With Smart Temperature Comfort Control, the car automatically switches on the driver’s heated seat/steering wheel or ventilated seat if there’s a major difference between the climate control setting and the cabin temperature. Open up the sky for the whole family via split a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
INFOTAINMENT
A class-leading 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display driving information and data. A user-friendly interface allows pinch, zoom, swipe and customisation with split view.
Over-The-Air technology enables software and map updates directly to the vehicle while on the move. These updates improve key vehicle functions, such as powertrain, steering, suspension, electric motor, battery, airbags, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Keep eyes on the road with the windscreen colour head-up display, focusing on driver alerts, vehicle speed, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.
Using a camera in the rear spoiler, the digital interior mirror provides improved visibility unhindered by luggage, seats, passengers, water or stains on rear glass. A simple toggle can return the digital image to a standard electro-chromatic mirror if preferred.
Quality sound from a Bose 12-speaker audio can be augmented by distinctive 3-D colour customisable mood lighting. Wireless smartphone fast charging is available, as well as through intuitively placed USB charge ports for outboard passengers.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The four-cylinders inline turbodiesel engine delivers 148kW of power and 440Nm of torque driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Kia claims the motor uses 6.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle, while putting out carbon dioxide emissions of 170g per 100km.
The test vehicle recorded consumption of 8.2 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road. The maker recommends the diesel particulate filter system be occasionally ‘cleaned’ by an extended run of consistent higher-speed motoring.
SAFETY
With the wellbeing of up to eight Carnival occupants, safety is paramount, resulting in a five-star ANCAP rating.
Standard systems include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, plus junction detection, lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance, blind-spot assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Up front is high beam assist.
On the move there’s adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limit assist, multi-collision braking and trailer stability control, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors, and rear occupant alert. Connected services with SOS call function is at hand for crashes.
Carnival Sport adds Highway Driving Assist 1, while Sport+ and above take on parking collision avoidance – rear (AEB reverse), blind-spot view monitor, 360-degree camera, junction cross, lane oncoming, lane direct avoidance and Highway Driving Assist 2.
Finally, there’s steering, braking, accelerating and stop-start traffic jam assistance.
DRIVING
Surprisingly no slouch off the mark, the inevitable diesel engine note did intrude into the cabin, but not enough to be an annoyance. Braking was also more efficient than expected.
As mentioned above, diesel consumption was pretty much in line with the maker’s claim of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, the test car recording 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres used in city commuting and 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.
Covid put the kybosh on any Aussie suspension tuning previously, but Kia claims to have rectified this with the MY25 model being modified Down Under. It has: ride is smooth and unfussy, handling is impressively akin to that of a smaller vehicle.
Carnival can match any of four different driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport and Smart.
Finally, there’s the ersatz mode: the drive you’re having when you’re not driving – the GT-Line gets Remote Smart Park Assist, allowing owners to manoeuvre their vehicle out of a tight parking space from outside the car using the key fob. Impressive!
SUMMARY
SUV, move over for the GUV. And, while the GT-Line diesel has many ‘what’s not to love’ features all round, it’s basically down to price differential between the Lite and ‘Heavy’.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 7
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 8
Tech – 7
Value – 6
