New Kia Carnival Review
Carnival is actually the one that Kia always wanted. You see, the last one, the one this replaces, was COVID-complicated.
As a result, missed out on key technology and the benefits of a complete ride and handling tune.
But this one, it addresses those issues, which is why you get an all-new cabin experience, new safety equipment, and a complete overhaul of the ride, handling, and steering tune.
Pricing
The price is higher this time around right across the five trim lineup, with prices up between around 2,600 bucks and 5,300 bucks, depending on which trim level you’re shopping for.
Prices now start at $50,150 for the entry diesel S Petrol, and climb all the way to $72,910 for the top-spec GT Line diesel. New Kia Carnival Review
There’s also a GT Line Hybrid which tops the group at $76,210 bucks, but it’s not here yet, so we’ll cross that electrified bridge when we get to and stick with the ICE range for now.
Exterior Features
The range opens with the S, which scores 17-inch alloy’s, LED headlights and DRLs, heated mirrors, cloth seats, an electronic parking break, and a smart key with push button start, which is new for this update.
Interior Feature
On the tech front, there is a new integrated 4-inch driver display and a new 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linking with an eight-speaker sound system, now with a surround sound function.
Stepping up to the sport adds 18-inch alloy’s, rear LED combination lamps, a leather steering wheel and shifter and dual-zone climate with temp controls and single-zone climate in the second row. New Kia Carnival Review
New for this update are aeroblade wipes, wireless charging, and artificial leather seats.
Sport Plus
Next is the Sport Plus, which gets a whole host of new safety equipment, , along with a powered tailgate, automatic sliding doors, and auto windows.
You get a better front fascia and heated seats in the first and second rows, too.
It also ups the tech with twin 12.3-inch screens, taking care of multimedia and driving info duties. New Kia Carnival Review
GT Line light
Then comes the GT Line light, which is fitted with bigger 19-inch Alley wheels, scores LED interior lighting, gets a dual-pane auto sunroof, and chrome embellishments on the exterior.
The trade-off, though, is that the powered windows are now for the driver only, as is the powered front seat.
Flagship GT line
Finally, there’s the flagship GT line, which naps dual projection headlights, a heated steering wheel, a 12-speaker BOSE sound system, ventilated seats up front, a big head-up display New Kia Carnival Review
a digital rear view mirror, along with a slightly better interior treatment, and the return of auto windows and powered seats to the passenger side of the car.
Design
I think part of the magic of the Carnival design here is that Kia has managed to make something that is quintessentially uncool, a people mover, actually look pretty rad.
And I think part of that is because it looks wide and low to the ground sitting on 19-inch alloYs, and almost like an old JDM tune car, for example.
I also love the Kia front-end design treatment, and I think it especially works on a white car.
I love the LED running lights, the grill. Everything comes together to give this people mover a bit of pizazz. New Kia Carnival Review
the cabin of the top-spec Kia Carnival, the GT line, which means it gets all of the nicest stuff, although you will have to pay for it.
I love twin 12.3-inch screen setup, which is standard from the Sport plus grade and upwards.
But in this model, you also get a big head-up display, a 12-speaker BOSE stereo and the best of the cabin materials.
Dimension
The Carnival measures 5,115 millimeters in length, 1,995 millimeters in width, and 1,775 millimeters in height, and it rides on a sizable 3,092-millimetre wheelbase.
Minivan-like dimensions have a predictably positive impact on luggage space, with room growing from 627 liters with all seating rows in place to a massive 2,827 liters with the third row stowed. New Kia Carnival Review
Practicality
Now, there are two key practicality perks to carnaval ownership, and the first one is space.
There is plenty of knee room, plenty of head room.
And because you can slide that entire row on rails, you can prioritize leg room as needed.
you can definitely fit two adults back without too much in the way of complaints.
You get some other perks as well for example, you get cup holders galore, there’s USB connection points, you even get little window shade to stop the light coming in on your third row passengers. New Kia Carnival Review
The bad is the fact that the materials get progressively worse the further you go back, and back does feel very plasticky and very tinny.
Now, practicality perk number two are the ISOFIX attachment points. There are five of them in this car, three across the middle row and two in the back.
Engine Specs
There are two ICE options on the table here. The first is what I reckon is the lesser of the two, a 3.5 liter petrol V6 producing a rev happy 200 116 kilowatts and 355 newton meters. New Kia Carnival Review
The better option, I think, is the 2.2 liter Four cyclinder diesel engine, which makes 148 kilowatts and 440 newton meters and just suits the nature of the car a little better.
Both pair with an eight-speed and send their power to the front tires.
Now, you’ll have to excuse the poor paraphrasing for a moment, but it seems reports of the death of diesel have been greatly exaggerated, at least when it comes to the carnival.
Some 90% of this model sales are with this diesel engine, with the petrol variant making up 10%, presumably, mostly to fleet customers.
It acts a bit like a large SUV in that sense, where diesel is still a very popular fuel, as it is, of course, with dual cab Uts as well. New Kia Carnival Review
To be honest, having driven both the petrol and the diesel engine, now, I’ve got to say the diesel is definitely the pick of the carnival bunch, at least for now.
Incoming is a petrol hybrid, which might change the equation yet again.
But for now, I do think diesel is the pick here. There’s just plenty of torque under your foot whenever you need it.
The delivery is nice and smooth there’s 440 Newton meters there, which really is plenty, even in a car this big.
The downside, of course, being is it does behave a little bit like a Ute in terms of the soundtrack. New Kia Carnival Review
That diesel is never the quietest source of power, and you can certainly hear it every time you put your foot down.
Efficiency
The petrol engine will sip a claimed 9.6 liters per 100 kilometers on the combined cycle and produce 220 grams per kilometer of COâ‚‚.
The diesel lowers both those numbers to 6.5 liters and 170 grams.
Both models are fitted with a 72 liter fuel tank, which means you’ll be sailing well north of 100 bucks to fill this one.
Safety Features
Part of the change package for this updated Carnival is in its safety kit, some of which simply wasn’t available when Kia launched its predecessor, which is why every model now gets a center-side airbag and Ford Collision Assist AEB.
Sport Plus models and up now add a blind-spot view monitor and rain-sensing wipers, as well as rear AEB through the parking collision avoidance function.
I have to say, though, when your entry-level car is 50K plus, there’s no real excuse for limiting the best safety kit for the upper-spec models.
Ownership
Like all Kia, the Carnival arrives with a seven-year unlimited kilometer warranty with cap price servicing throughout. New Kia Carnival Review
Kia servicing costs are higher than some of its competitors, though, so you might want to compare them and what’s included.
Just keep in mind that the diesel model will cost slightly more to maintain than the petrol version.