SYDNEY: Kia motors has announced Carnival model in Australia with 3.3-litre, 6-cyl petrol engine, automatic torque converter Carnival with 7-years warranty from $41,490 to $59,990. Kia has changed up to 75 percent interior and rigidity in Carnival.
Best of all in the eyes of many is that Carnival has style, and plenty of it. No longer is this a box on wheels bought by the family that needs – rather than wants – a people mover. Sales are likely to go to many who take pride in their vehicle.
Who knows, Australians may even follow their American cousins and go for minivans (US for people movers) ahead of SUVs. SUVs are often gas guzzlers, particularly when you buy them with seven or eight seat capacity as they are big, heavy and not particularly streamlined. Minivans make more sense, are simpler to drive and do more than their fair share of looking after our environment if all seats are in use.
We love the big bold radiator grille and squared-off front of the new Carnival, though we have to say its shape doesn’t immediately cry out that it’s a Kia. That’s because the so-called Schreyer centre of the grille doesn’t have the very definite reduction in height as others in the Kia range, a reduction that we feel is its strongest styling feature.
Anyhow, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so we will let you make your own decision when you pop into your local Kia dealership. While you’re there have a look at the different finishes offered on the grilles of the various Carnival grades, in ascending order; S, Si, SLi and Platinum.
The interior of the new Carnival is impressive, this is far from being a stripped down people mover, instead it has the sort of style and materials usually found in big name German sedans.
Cabin usability is what vehicles in this class is all about and the guys and gals at Kia have put a lot of hard work into this.
ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION
Big people movers need plenty of power when loaded and some makers have made the mistake of using engines that are too small. Working these little powerplants hard can turn them into gas guzzlers. Kia has been smart in offering Carnival with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol, and a big torque 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.
Power outputs are 206kW (petrol) and 147kW (diesel). More important are the torque numbers, a very useful 336Nn metres for the petrol and a huge 440Nm from the diesel. Official fuel consumption numbers are 11.6 and 7.7 litres per hundred kilometres respectively.
