WhichCar

2023 Kia Carnival review: Full range detailed

The Kia Carnival can carry eight people in comfort and style, with a clever cabin that can swallow stacks of luggage. Learn more about the Carnival range, including price, interior, boot space, safety assists and performance.

a96b0991/2022 kia carnival platinum diesel suv people mover sam rawlings 58 jpg
Gallery64
8.5/10Score
Score breakdown
8.5
Safety, value and features
9.5
Comfort and space
8.0
Engine and gearbox
8.0
Ride and handling
8.5
Technology

Things we like

  • Shatters the daggy-people-mover stereotype
  • Space, comfort and versatility
  • Van-like practicality
  • Surprisingly enjoyable to drive

Not so much

  • Relatively high capped servicing costs
  • Thirsty petrol V6
  • Where are the rain-sensing wipers?
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto only in entry-level variant

The only thing bigger than the Kia Carnival's boot space is its whopping 80 per cent market share of the Australian people mover market.

As well as being the darling of corporate and rental fleets, it's a big seller with families needing more space than the average large SUV, thanks to an attractive package that combines practicality with driveability and oodles of showroom appeal.

Riding on the KA4 platform that also resides under the excellent Sorento SUV, the Carnival is 5.2 metres long and a shade over two tonnes.

But its bluff nose and fancy grille, sculpted bonnet and bejewelled rear-end soften the squared-off roofline and straight sides to make it look a lot sleeker than the big family bus it is.

Powertrains include an updated version of the Hyundai group’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, both coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

c22d09cc/2021 kia carnival s silky silver static front jpg
64
Kia Carnival S

JUMP AHEAD


2023 Kia Carnival pricing

Kia Carnival variantPricing
Carnival S petrol$47,480
Carnival S diesel$49,480
Carnival Si petrol$52,980
Carnival Si diesel$54,980
Carnival SLi petrol$57,780
Carnival SLi diesel$59,780
Carnival Platinum petrol$65,580
Carnival Platinum diesel$67,580
Prices are before on-road costs

🔼 Back to top

What body styles are there?

The Carnival is a five-door wagon that seats up to eight people and has sliding rear doors.

It drives its front wheels and is classed as a people mover, lower priced.

d25b0af2/2021 kia carnival s silky silver static side door open jpg
64
Kia Carnival S

🔼 Back to top

What features are in every Kia Carnival?

2023 Kia Carnival standard features
Apple CarPlay/Android AutoBluetooth connectivity
Sound systemLCD colour infotainment touchscreen
Reversing cameraRear parking sensors with dash display
USB sockets: 3x front, 2x middle rowIlluminated vanity mirrors in sunvisors
Power-folding heated door mirrorsRoof rails
Rear spoiler with hidden wiper washerShark fin antenna
Air-conditoning front and rear3rd-row air vents
LED headlightsLED daytime running lights (DRLs)
Dusk-sensing headlightsHigh beam assist
Alloy wheelsSpace saver spare wheel
Autonomous emergency breakingDriver attention alert
Speed limit information functionIntelligent speed assist
Blind spot collision avoidance assistRear cross traffic alert
Lane keeping assistLane change assist
Lane departure warningAdavanced smart cruise control

🔼 Back to top

What key features do I get if I spend more?

The Kia Carnival comes in four specification grades, each with automatic petrol and turbo-diesel powertrain options.

Carnival S

The entry-level Carnival comes with all of the above features, cloth seats with manual adjustment, a six-speaker sound system, an 8.0-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen, manual air-conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Curiously, the cheapest Carnival is the only spec to come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is an issue across the Kia and Hyundai range. This has something to do with the wireless phone pairing only being able to be used with the smaller 8.0-inch screen, which is some kind of legal issue rather than a technical one.

ad2209d6/2021 kia carnival s silky silver interior driver cockpit layout jpg
64
Kia Carnival S

Carnival Si

Si features (in addition to S)
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wired only)Digital radio DAB+
12.3-inch LDC infotainment touchscreenSatellite navigation
Auto folding heated door mirrorsPremium steering wheel
Premium gear shifter knobDual-zone climate control air-conditioning
Single-zone rear climate control air-conditioningAuto window defog
18-inch alloy wheelsFront parking sensors
9a480f4e/kiacarnival2021 si 11 jpg
64
Kia Carnival SI

Carnival SLi

SLi features (in addition to Si)
360-degree parking monitorSmart key with push botton & remote engine start
Artificial leather seats10-way power adustable driver's seat
Auto-dimming rear-view mirrorLED fog-lamps
Rear cross traffic collision avoidance assistHands free powered tailgate
Privacy glass (rear windows)One-touch open sliding doors and tailgate
Aero-Blade front wipers2x third row USB sockets
ad5b0fb3/kiacarnival2021 sli 10 jpg
64
Kia Carnival SLI

Carnival Platinum

Platinum features (in addition to SLi)
Dual projection LED headlampsPuddle lamps
Driver's seat memory12-way powered drivers seat
Shift-by-wire dial gear shifterPaddle shifter
Heated steering wheelInterior mood lighting
LED interior lights (all rows)Sunshine blinds, 2nd & 3rd rows
Wireless phone charger12-speaker BOSE premium audio
Heated front seatsVentilated front seats
Heated middle row seats19-inch alloy wheels
Dual sunroof
bf950a30/2022 kia carnival platinum diesel 22 jpg
64
Kia Carnival Platinum

Paint

ColourAdditional cost
Ceramic Silver$0
Flare Red$695
Astra Blue$695
Panthera Metal$695
Silky Silver$695
Snow White Pearl$695
Aurora Black Pearl (SLi and Platinum)$695
Deep Chroma Blue (SLi and Platinum)$695

🔼 Back to top

ae6d098e/2021 kia carnival ancap crash scores jpg
64

How safe is the Kia Carnival?

The Carnival has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, earned in 2021, helped by a decent suite of safety features included across the range.

Kia Carnival safety features
7 airbagsABS
Stability and traction controlsForward AEB (high and low speed)
Forward collision warningReverse cross-traffic alert
Multi-collision brakingFront cross-traffic alert
Lane departure warningLane-keep assist
Driver attention detectionSafe exit warning
Blind-spot monitoringReversing camera

Its forward auto emergency braking (AEB) system includes pedestrian and cyclist detection and works at high and low speeds.

The Carnival also scored very well in crash testing, including 90 per cent for adult occupant protection and 88 per cent for child occupant protection.

It has seven airbags, including frontal, driver's knee, front curtains for side/head protection and side curtains for the second and third seating rows.

For child seats, ISOFIX points are provided in the middle and back rows of seats and five top tether points are spread across the two rearward rows.

Oh, and while it's not exactly a safety-critical feature, rain-sensing windscreen wipers are a curious omission from a vehicle not otherwise short on technology.

🔼 Back to top

b80b09bb/kia carnival platinum 2021 11 jpg
64
Kia Carnival Platinum

How comfortable and practical is the Kia Carnival?

Comfort and practicality are the reason for the Kia Carnival's being.

The entry-level S spec is a nice place to be even if you've been assigned the third row, and as you go up in the range things start getting plusher.

While the Carnival is designed for passenger comfort, the driver is well looked after. The front seats feel very supportive and don’t sit too high; it feels more like a slightly jacked-up wagon than a van and offers a very pleasant driving experience.

Cabin ergonomics are excellent, with key controls clearly labelled and easy to reach.

A huge, wide centre console box doubles as a centre armrest, there are two two cup holders and you can stow your bottles in the big door pockets.

There are USB ports for power, with the range-topping Platinum gaining a wireless phone charging pad, though this would be more useful in the S spec in combination with its wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

bae60a08/carnival rear seats jpg
64
Click the above image to see more photos in this set

Rear seat comfort

The second row features three separate seats, which makes it easy to load people into the third row from either side.

The middle row slides for and aft for more space at the rear, which creates extra space for big loads or third-row passengers.

With two people, the middle seat folds down to reveal a tray and cup holders. There are also cup holders at the rear of the centre console above the armrests, but such is the legroom that they can be difficult to reach. You can also store bottles in the door pockets.

Middle-row passengers also have plenty of headroom, even with the Platinum's sunroof, which makes it feel even bigger inside, providing tons of light from above and through the big side windows. You can keep cool under the glass sunroof, too, with your own climate zone and overhead air vents.

ba290996/kia carnival platinum 2021 14 jpg
64
Click the above image to see more photos in this set

Accessing the third row through the broad side-door aperture is easy enough. A simple lever action moves the outboard middle seat forward enough to be able to step in the back without the grunts that come with hopping into the very back of a seven-seat SUV.

With some seat sliding, a 180cm person can sit in the third row in reasonable comfort for the airport run, though three across will be tight. The seats are nicely shaped and aren’t a basic plank bench.

The third row has four cup holders, a storage tray and air vents, with the SLi and Platinum specs bringing two USB-A charging ports so no passenger is left behind.

🔼 Back to top

996b0899/sam rawlings 2023 kia carnival platinium diesel people mover white 47 jpg
64

How much boot space does the Kia Carnival offer?

A lot! With all eight seats in place, the Carnival still offers 627 litres of space – the same as a Skoda Kodiaq in five-seat mode.

This makes it effective as an airport shuttle and allows a family of seven or eight to go on a week’s driving holiday without needing a roof pod.

a2b70914/2022 kia carnival platinum diesel suv people mover sam rawlings 54 jpg
64
Click the above image to see more photos in this set

Stow the rear seats and the Carnival will swallow 2785 litres, with enough depth and height to store a mountain bike standing up.

In part, these impressive cargo capacity figures are made possible by some seriously clever use of space, including huge wells in the boot floor.

When stowing the third-row seats, they fill these voids by using an ingenious hinge and pivot mechanism that also results in a flat boot floor for more versatile loading.

🔼 Back to top

I like driving, will I enjoy this people mover?

The Carnival's driving position feels almost like that of a car and the same can be said about how it drives.

Kia’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is a strong unit and seems made for the Carnival. It’s not particularly noisy and gets the job done with a thrummy character that never becomes overbearing.

The eight-speed auto is excellent and shifts smoothly and decisively, rarely tripping up or worse, letting you roll back on hills.

b5b80935/kia carnival platinum 2021 18 jpg
64

Despite having to shift well over two tonnes of van, the diesel never feels stressed, happily wafting along on its solid torque output.

It’s pretty relaxed but not docile, with plenty of shove available from decisive use of your right foot.

The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, also coupled with an eight-speed automatic, also offers a smooth ride with virtually no lag.

It can take off surprisingly quickly, but unlike big SUVs with a similarly sized engine and front-wheel drive (we're looking at you, Hyundai Palisade) you don't get the wheel chirps when taking off at the lights, thanks to the Carnival's shape placing more weight over the front wheels.

c50d0a10/2021 kia carnival s silky silver dynamic front side cornering jpg
64

The Carnival steers nicely. The front end responds promptly to your instructions, and there is good communication between your hands and the front wheels.

Its suspension is tuned for Australian conditions, with comfort in mind but without really compromising handling. The long wheelbase helps, as does a centre of gravity that's lower than comparatively-sized SUVs and contains body roll to a reasonable degree.

Despite its two-tonne heft, the Carnival doesn't even feel too heavy, but parking can be a bit of a pain because it is well over five metres long. That said, there’s good all-around vision and electronic assistance.

🔼 Back to top

b7880a10/kia carnival platinum 2021 5 jpg
64
Smartstream 2.2L Diesel

Which Kia Carnival engine uses the least fuel?

The 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel is clearly the more fuel-efficient of the two engines available in a Carnival, consuming 6.5L/100km on the official test (city and country combined).

It is a great engine for highway use, hauling the Carnival down the road and up hills without fuss while feeling refined enough for urban duties.

There is also a lot to like about the 216kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that, like the diesel, sends power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This is the more refined engine of the two and feels more relaxed around town.

However, it is also a lot thirstier, with an official combined fuel consumption of 9.6L/100km, which will get into the teens when the Carnival is loaded with people and their luggage.

And it's when the Carnival is loaded up that you'll see the difference between having 355Nm of torque and the diesel's 440 Newtons.

🔼 Back to top

What is the Kia Carnival's towing capacity?

Whether petrol or diesel, the Carnival's towing capacity is a competitive 2000kg with a braked trailer and 750kg unbraked.

The towball download weight is a decent 200kg.

aab6093a/sam rawlings 2023 kia carnival platinium diesel people mover white 28 jpg
64

How long is the warranty and what are the Kia servicing costs?

Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies and you get a year of roadside assistance that's extended every time you service with Kia.

Servicing comes around every 12 months or 15,000km, which is probably a little short if you're not working either powertrain too hard.

The capped-price servicing program covers the first seven services, which average out to be more than $500 per visit to the service centre, but at least you know what you’re in for.

🔼 Back to top

Kia Carnival capped price service intervalsCost: petrol/diesel
12 months/15,000km$329/$349
24 months/30,000km$604/$610
36 months/45,000km$402/$423
48 months/60,000km$785/$789
60 months/75,000km$371/$393
72 months/90,000km$754/$777
84 months/105,000km$393/$419

Which version of the Kia Carnival does Wheels recommend?

The Kia Carnival SLi diesel is the pick of the bunch for economy, value and comfort.

It looks and feels luxurious, and brings enough over the Si to justify the $5000 premium while bringing much of what we like about the range-topping Platinum

The SLi's 18-inch wheels also offer a slightly smoother ride than the Platinum's 19s.

ad880fbe/kiacarnival2021 sli 02 jpg
64
Kia Carnival SLi

What are the Kia Carnival's key rivals?

The Honda Odyssey, which was Carnival's arch rival and enjoyed a large slice of private sales, is no longer on sale in Australia. Its departure is another reason Carnival dominates the people mover market.

🔼 Back to top

8.5/10Score
Score breakdown
8.5
Safety, value and features
9.5
Comfort and space
8.0
Engine and gearbox
8.0
Ride and handling
8.5
Technology

Things we like

  • Shatters the daggy-people-mover stereotype
  • Space, comfort and versatility
  • Van-like practicality
  • Surprisingly enjoyable to drive

Not so much

  • Relatively high capped servicing costs
  • Thirsty petrol V6
  • Where are the rain-sensing wipers?
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto only in entry-level variant
David Bonnici
Contributor
WhichCar Staff

COMMENTS

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.