Kia Carnival refresh adds style and comfort

The Kia Carnival people mover has just undergone a mid-life refresh.

It sports a new look, inside and out, additional technology and a fresh hybrid powertrain option.

Kia New Zealand’s MD, Todd McDonald, says “The new Kia Carnival is reshaping expectations when it comes to transporting people in elegance and sophistication, as well as impressing with power and all-round performance.

“It is big on style, big on technology and huge on comfort. It is the most refined, roomy and capable Carnival ever and is an absolute revelation when it comes to the driving experience.

“If you need a large, spacious and well appointed vehicle to transport you and seven passengers in safety and luxury, then Carnival has to be at the top of your list.

Design Evolution

Sporting Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design language, the new model injects SUV-inspired forms into the updated Carnival.

Wheel sizes range from 17- to 19-inches, while there are four gloss body colours available.

Moving inside and there’s a 12.3-inch split screen panoramic display for infotainment. Upper level models, Premium and Water HEV,  feature a full colour head-up display as standard. A dual sunroof, with front and rear tilt plus sliding, is an option on the Premium model. The Water HEV offers a digital rear-view mirror.

The new interior is spacious, combined with an array of possible seating and cargo arrangements. In one version, a seven-person set-up offers ‘spare space’ in the middle of the vehicle.

Read about the previous-generation Carnival here.

Power sliding rear doors on each side of the vehicle facilitate entry and exit. There’s also a handy ‘One Touch Open/ Close’ feature operated via the key fob.

Higher-level models come with front row heated and ventilated seats, and second row outer heated seats.

Dual-zone climate air is standard with controls for second-row passengers.

Practical and safe

From a load carrying perspective, the Kia Carnival can swallow 2827 litres of cargo when all rows are folded away. 

Standard safety features on all models include Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Following Assist. Carnival uses cameras and radar, and self braking is possible. A Surround View Monitor facilitates parking, activating when reverse gear is selected.

Diesel variants of the Kia Carnival feature a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The HEV has not yet been crash tested.

A pair of engines

The main powertrain in three of the four models is a 2.2L 148kW/440Nm turbodiesel mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The lone hybrid features a 1.6L180kW/367Nm turbopetrol with a parallel hybrid system. Respective claimed combined fuel consumption are 7.5 and 6.4L/100km.

Towing capacity is 2000kg braked for the turbodiesels and 1000kg braked for the Water HEV. A second Light HEV model is under consideration for the local market.

Pricing and Warranty

The Kia Carnival kicks off at $62,990 for the EX, $72,990 for the Deluxe and $78,990 for the Premium turbodiesel variants, excluding ORCs.

The HEV Water is $81,990 plus ORCs.

Warranty is five years/150,000km, extending to seven years/150,000km for the HEV. Both include five years of Roadside Assistance.