New Kia Carnival arrives

The 2015 Kia Carnival is now arriving in dealerships nationally priced from $41,490, representing a price rise of $2000.

Pitched at family and fleet buyers, Kia says price rises are more than offset by an uptick in interior quality, packaging, fuel efficiency, technology, safety and standard features.

The Korean importer is confident the completely new Carnival can reclaim its crown as Australia's most popular people-mover, a title it lost in 2014 to the Honda Odyssey after dominating the segment for many years.

Despite being hit with a couple of controversies lately, including the fact the Carnival can only achieve a four-star ANCAP safety rating due to its initial lack of rear seatbelt reminders and an ACCC investigation into its capped-priced servicing program, Kia Motors Australia CEO Damien Meredith says early interest has been exceptional.

"Across the board, this car is creating waves of interest and enquiry. This is a car that changes the landscape for people-movers, MPVs, CUVs – whatever you want to call them," he said.

Sporting a new European-influenced exterior aesthetic and a US-designed interior, the Carnival range comprises four model grades and two engine types, including a new 3.3-litre petrol V6 and an updated 2.2-litre turbo-diesel – the latter adding $2500 to the price.

A six-speed auto is standard across the range. Pricing, not including on-road costs, is as follows:

All model grades, starting with the S, are fitted as standard with a powered tailgate, eight seats with stain and odour resistant cloth upholstery, lap-sash belts for all occupants, six airbags covering all three rows, stability control, anti-lock brakes, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, sliding side doors, roof rails, separate front and rear air-conditioning, three 12-volt sockets, three USB ports, Bluetooth audio and phone, 10 cup-holders, four bottle-holders, cruise control and keyless entry.

The Si model ditches the standard 17-inch steel wheels for alloy items and adds satellite-navigation via an 8.0-inch colour touch-screen infotainment system that doubles as a DVD player, plus three-zone climate-control.

Step up to the SLi and leather-trimmed seats are added, along with a power adjustable driver's seat, powered sliding side doors, front parking sensors, a 'hands-free' function for the powered tailgate, push-button engine start and 18-inch alloys.

Platinum models deliver sunshades for all second- and third-row side windows, HID headlights with automatic high-beam, wood/leather-finished heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, a 7.0-inch 'Supervision' instrument panel and a load of advanced safety features like smart cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure alert and a forward collision warning system.

Kia has developed a new seating system too, in which the middle outboard seats 'stand-up' to make entry and exit easier, while the centre seat can be removed. The third-row seats fold flat into the floor.

All models have a large 960-litre boot, expanding to 2220 litres when the third-row (60:40 split) seats are folded down and rising to 4022 litres with the second-row (40:20:40 split) seats stowed.

Measuring 5115mm long, the new Carnival is 15mm shorter than before but its wheelbase has grown 40mm to 3060mm. Width is unchanged at 1985mm but, together with a new interior design, Kia says this delivers more interior space.

Locally-delivered vehicles have a suspension tune unique to Australia and all models are covered by Kia's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, backed by capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance for the same period.

Check out the reviews page for our first Australian drive of the new Carnival, which completes the styling overhaul of Kia's entire model range under design chief Peter Schreyer.