The Kia Carnival, previously known as the Kia Grand Sedona, is what those in the automotive industry refer to as an MPV or multi-purpose vehicle. We don't have too many of these around anymore, as most South African families feel they need a large SUV instead, even though they never travel anywhere interesting enough to warrant that high ground clearance and low-range gearbox. We reckon it's more about image, but the trade-off is often space and comfort.
To re-familiarise ourselves with the people-pleasing Carnival, we undertook a road-trip to some glamorous Western Cape destinations. (You can also read my 2022 Kia Carnival review, here)
Styling
When we arrived at Kia Somerset West at around noon, the five Carnivals where ready for us.
"We've been designated the blue one!", my colleague, Mike, informed me enthusiastically. We'd be two couples travelling together in a car, and our 8-seater model, the midnight blue metallic Carnival 2.2 CRDI EX+, stood glistening in the sun. The Carnival is a large, (5 155 mm) long vehicle, and while some people have loosely used the term 'hearse' to describe its appearance, they haven't experienced the space and comfort made possible by the boxy shape and long tail-end. Plus, the front end looks slick and futuristic, while the modern, flowing body lines create a striking, understated silhouette that exudes 'quiet luxury'. There are SUV design cues to make the Carnival look more trendy.
While as journalists we test new cars weekly, we don't always get the chance to slide into the backseat and experience the vehicle from a passenger's perspective. Because the Kia Carnival is so well-equipped for both the driver, second-, and third-row passengers, Kia made sure that everyone would get the chance to experience all of it. Armed with our luggage, 2 days' worth of snacks, and the name of our destination for the day, we set off.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Kia Carnival
Related: Is the Kia Carnival good for new drivers?
Interior, space, and comfort
My colleague, Mike, and his wife, Jackie, would take the first driving shift, so my husband and I pressed the buttons on the power-sliding doors (there's one on either side), and settled into our luxurious second-row seats. One of the reasons the Kia Carnival is so comfortable is because the second-row seats are 'captain's' chairs, meaning they are individual seats with armrests; it's basically business class on wheels. Since we were testing the eight-seater variant, we easily folded the extra seat between us flat, and stowed our snacks and drinks in its built-in storage binnacle. The seats are leather which makes the Carnival easy to keep clean.
On the third row, three more people (tall ones, at that) can sit in absolute comfort. As for the boot (with an electric tailgate), how does 1139 litres sound when all seats are in use? With up to 4110 when the seats are folded? Show me one SUV that can even come close!
On our way to Franschhoek, the sun was surprisingly intense for mid-August. At first, I wanted to ask Mike to kindly turn on the air conditioning, but then I noticed our personal climate controls as well as air vents just above us. And indeed, you can adjust the fan speed as well as the temperature, or set it to 'auto'. We could also plug our phones into the USB sockets at the back of the front seats (there are seven USB ports on board in the EX+ model and above).
And, because the Carnival is so well-sprung, I could get actually get some work done on my laptop without feeling car-sick. To darken the cabin, I could simply close the blinds — even the smaller windows at the very rear has blinds. In two shakes of a lamb's tail Mike pulled into La Cotte farm in Franschhoek, where we would spend the first night. Business class, indeed!
The drive, power, and performance
On day two, it was my turn to test drive our front-wheel-drive Carnival from Franschhoek to Sanbona Game Reserve in the Klein Karoo. In a jiffy, I connected my iPhone, input the destination into Google Maps, and selected a crowd-pleasing relaxation playlist from Spotify via the large, central touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). With each revolution of the Carnival's neat alloy wheels, I was leaving the city's dust further behind. We had about 2.5 hours to go to reach Sanbona, and what a pleasure it was piloting the Carnival.
The eight-speed auto gearbox (with paddle shifters!) is the perfect match for the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine (with a hearty 148 kW and 440 Nm), which feels as if it was built for the Carnival. With an average fuel consumption of only 8.2 litres per 100 km (while neither I nor Mike hesitated to plant our right foot), and plenty of low-down torque, you can easily tow a caravan or trailer without feeling it too much in your wallet. Unladen, the Carnival weighs in at just over 2 tons and its estimated range (based on real-life conditions) is around 850 km per its 72-litre fuel tank. With Drive Mode Select set to Smart, the Carnival learns your driving style and strikes the perfect balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
Before I knew it, we had travelled through the quaint town of Montagu and found ourselves on a lovely (though rather rugged) dirt road into Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, which was in its early spring bloom. My husband also wanted to experience how the Carnival handles this terrain, and I reluctantly exchanged the driver's seat for the front passenger's. The Carnival's suspension is phenomenal, and once again, I could barely believe we were in an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and not an SUV (sports utility vehicle) - the Carnival felt as confident and stable as Jordan Peterson at a mental health convention.
Safety
The Carnival scores five stars for safety, which says it all, really. But for those who need details, safety kit include daytime running lamps, ABS, an electrical parking brake, hill-start assist control, traction and stability control, seven airbags, attention assist, cruise control, child locks, Isofix seats, front and rear park distance control plus a rearview camera, along with roadside assistance for 5 years. (Read Chad's review of the Kia Carnival (2022) here.)
Price
The Kia Carnival 2.2CRDI EX+ AT still manages to come in at under a million bucks, but if your budget doesn't quite stretch that far, there is always the EX model that is considerably more affordable and is specified extensively as well (see the grade walk at the bottom of this page). Here is the lineup:
Kia Carnival 2.2CRDi EX, R869 995
Kia Carnival 2.2CRDi EX+, R949 995 (tested)
Kia Carnival 2.2CRDi SX Limited, R1 069 995
Kia Carnival 2.2CRDi SXL, R1 094 995
The Carnival competes with the Volkswagen Transporter Kombi, Opel Zafira, Opel Combo Life, Hyundai Staria and Mercedes-Benz Vito along with the Quantum VX Bus, but none of these cars have quite the same 'je ne sais quoi', as the French say. It truly is the coolest van on the market. The Ford Tourneo Custom is also a brilliant people-mover. (Alternatively, why not opt for a pre-loved Kia Grand Sedona? )
Read my Hyundai Staria roadtrip review here.
Verdict
Our two days in the Carnival made me realise how much families are missing out on when they don't opt for a people-mover like this. Instead, they insist on large SUVs that are usually so cramped in the third row that only the smallest passengers have enough legroom, and with that measly third row in use, there's hardly any space left in the boot! Not to mention that you often have to bend like a contortionist just to get into the third row at all.
No doubt, the Carnival was already my favourite family vehicle even when it was still the Grand Sedona. It drives beautifully, is light on fuel, and offers tons of space and conveniences. I can only imagine how enjoyable this vehicle will be on a family trip, especially with kids, during December. There are few vehicles that meet so many needs simultaneously.
Grade Walk
Highlights: Entry-level EX trim
- 8,0” touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Front and rear adjustable air-conditioning
- Auto light control
- Auto-folding side mirrors
- Overhead console lamps
- 4 USB ports
- Drive Mode Select
- Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support
- Leather trim
- LED headlamps
- PDC front and rear
- 18” aluminium alloy wheels
- 7 airbags
- ESC plus Hill-start Assist Control
Mid-spec EX+ model adds the following:
- 8 seats (2+3+3 configuration)
- Smart Entry with push-button start
- Powered sliding side doors
- Electric tailgate
- Remote rear door and tailgate opening on key
- Remote start on key
- Electro-chromatic rear-view mirror
- Front and rear adjustable automatic climate control
- Rear sunshade blinds
- Paddle shifters
- 7 USB ports
Flagship SXL adds these features:
- 19” aluminium alloy wheels
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support
- Smart Cruise Control
- LED front fog lights
- Dual LED headlamps (high and low beam)
- Dual tilt and slide sunroofs
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 12.3” touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Rear LED combination lamps
- Skid plates front and rear
- Around View Monitor
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Blindspot Collision Avoidance Assist
- Blindspot Monitor
- Lane Following Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
- 12.3” TFT Supervision instrument cluster
- BOSE surround sound with 12 speakers
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