The upgraded 2018 Kia Carnival lands in Australia with carry-over petrol and diesel engines, instead relying on design, technology and safety updates to maintain its stronghold on the rarely celebrated people-mover segment. Priced slightly higher than before -- from $42,490 (plus ORCs) for the entry-level petrol V6 and $44,990 (plus ORCs) for the turbo-diesel — does this midlife facelift for the third-generation Kia Carnival go far enough?
Three years since its Australian debut, the third-generation Kia Carnival gets a welcome mid-life makeover, but is it worthy of its increased asking price?
And is it possible the Carnival is resting on its laurels, at a time when traditional people-movers are being encroached upon by sexier seven-seat SUVs like the Mazda CX-9?
A dominant sales force within the relatively small mainstream people-mover segment, the Carnival holds a 52 per cent market share to April this year, with 2018 sales totalling 1962 – 17 per cent up on 2017 numbers.
Meanwhile, its obvious rivals in the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Tarago have grappled for 653 and 221 customers – down almost 10 and 27 per cent respectively.
Those dominant sales and share figures are not just a factor of the biggest Kia’s value equation, but the fact the latest Carnival was strong on style and substance when it arrived in 2015, so it’s no surprise Kia hasn’t made wholesale changes.
With a proven formula at hand, the 2018 Kia Carnival arrives with carry-over engines – a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (147kW/440Nm) and 3.3-litre petrol V6 (206kW/336Nm).
While outputs remain unchanged, the two-engine range is now matched exclusively to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, as seen in its ‘hard to believe they’re related’ sibling, the Kia Stinger.
Both engines are offered across four trim grades — the entry-level S, mid-range Si and SLi, and range-topping Platinum — with a starting price of $42,490 for the V6 petrol-powered S, topping out with the Platinum diesel for $62,790.
With an eight-model line-up spanning around $20,000, you can dial up the people-mover pomp as you desire, though the majority of creature comforts kick in at SLi level ($52,490 and $54,990 respectively).
Kia’s industry-leading seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty continues, but Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith says that could be extended even further if other brands match it.
“I would love to see the industry all move to a seven-year warranty because it takes away a lot of issues in regards to consumer law and common sense in regards to looking after the customer,” he said.
“[But] If there was a shift, we’d probably look very seriously at shifting again to give us that unique selling proposition.”
So if it’s not more peace of mind, dynamism, emotion or pace, what exactly does Australia’s top-selling people-mover now bring to the table?
The answer is safety. Building on its five-star safety rating, Kia has added autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning across the entire Carnival range.
At Platinum level you also benefit from blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, high-beam assist and rear cross-traffic alert. An electric park brake is also now standard.
All seating positions have three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints and there are front, side and curtain airbags (extending to the third row). A reversing camera is also standard, and only the Platinum gets a 360-degree camera.
Broadening its tech appeal, meantime, new to the Carnival range is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, controlled through a new head unit featuring a 7.0-inch screen on S models (8.0-inch for all others), along with an eight-speaker JBL premium sound system. Entry-level S models miss out on satellite-navigation.
Second- and third-row occupants also benefit from tri-zone climate-control with independent controls and a new 10.1-inch dual touchscreen entertainment package.
New smart convenience features include a hands-free tailgate on all models and dual power-sliding rear doors (which can also be operated by the driver) on SLi and Platinum grades.
The sole light-grey fabric trim offered in S and Si models looks great but screams impractical (is it stain-resistant…? Have you met my kids…?).
Where ride and handling is concerned, Kia has again adapted the latest Carnival’s suspension and steering to the Australian market. Kia Australia product chief Roland Rivero said the aim was to make the 2015 tune more responsive on turn-in.
For petrol models this was achieved through damper tuning alone, but the diesels underwent both damper and spring-rate changes (up from 3.56 to 3.66kgf/mm) to nail the desired handling.
At the local launch in the Hunter Valley we had the opportunity to swap between the range book-ends — the entry-level petrol and top-spec diesel.
The turbo-diesel Platinum ticks many boxes, from its two-tone leather interior trim and its all-electric, heated and ventilated seats, to its fit and finish and impressive equipment levels.
Ride quality also surprised. On tight corners and sweeping bends more suited to a sports car than a 5115mm people-mover, the Carnival CRDi carried itself with great aplomb.
Feel through the Australian-specific hydraulic steering was reasonably good, while cabin refinement was excellent. Even under hard acceleration, engine noise was minimal.
Switching to the V6 petrol Carnival GDI S, feel at the wheel changed. So too standard equipment levels and interior material quality, although it’s all still nicely done.
The biggest change was the different suspension. Front-end refinement deteriorated, with road bumps and imperfections more noticeable than we experienced in the diesel model.
That makes the latter the clear choice when it comes to ride comfort, even if all models steer a little more sharply (for a people-mover!).
Irrespective of the engine or model grade, there’s plenty of urge on offer and the new eight-speed auto performs without fault, its smooth changes adding to overall refinement.
Equally, the adaptive cruise control performed seamlessly on long and busy freeway drives.
Outward visibility is another highlight, the vast amount of glass combining with a commendable 11.7m turning circle (less than a Camry) to make the Carnival easy to manoeuvre without ever quite feeling as big as it is (which is enormous).
Sipping regular unleaded or diesel from an 80-litre fuel tank, the Carnival claims average fuel consumption of 10.8L/100km (petrol) and 7.6L/100km (diesel). CO2 emissions average out at 252g and 202g respectively and both engines are Euro5-compliant.
The Kia Carnival has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg with maximum towball download of 200kg.
While a growing number good-looking, large seven-seat car-based SUVs loom, if you’re using your third-row of seating more than occasionally, they really can’t compete with the practical proportions of the Carnival.
The Kia Carnival is a true family-hauler, with room for eight occupants and their luggage. The Carnival’s unique ‘stand up’ seating mechanism allows excellent entry and egress to third-row seats, where three passengers can be seated quite comfortably.
The second row’s 40:20:40-split configuration is a crowd-pleaser, but the flexibility to either fold flat (or completely remove) the centre seats is also a winner. It opens up that third row of seating while also allowing entry and exit without having to flip the middle outboard seats.
Luggage capacity is well worth noting: a huge 960 litres with the third-row seats in play, growing to a cavernous 2220 litres with them folded and a whopping 4022 litres with all rear seats stowed. This vehicle is made for DIY weekend projects.
In-cabin storage is excellent too, and it would be remiss not to mention the big Korean’s 14-strong drink holding capability – 10 cup-holders and four drink bottle positions. Because kids need to stay hydrated and parents need caffeine…
There are also copious amounts of incidental storage cubbies – in the doors, via a double glove box and under the lidded centre console (which is home to USB and 12-volt charge outlets and a new sunglasses holder). The latter can easily consume a medium-size handbag, safely concealed from prying eyes (and kids).
There’s no doubt the Carnival’s lounge-like amenity is a winner.
Interestingly, Kia boss Meredith described the Carnival as a ‘transition’ type vehicle because it rarely attracts repeat buyers; it’s for the time in your life when you can’t see the light for the loads of children and gear you lug around daily.
With this mid-life update, it seems the Kia Carnival is one step closer to luring those SUV buyers that really would be better off with the practicality of a people-mover.
If any vehicle is going to challenge the people-mover’s ‘whitegoods on wheels’ reputation, it’s the Carnival.
Packed with modern-family practicality but not at the expense of ride, handling or refinement, the updated Kia Carnival is a good step forward and a great mid-term solution for large families.
How much is the 2018 Kia Carnival?
Price: $42,490-$62,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.3-litre V6 petrol, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel
Output: 206kW/336Nm, 147kW/440Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.8L/100km, 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 252g/km, 202g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: five-star ANCAP