All New 2021 Kia Carnival: Evetything You Need to Know

Is KIA’s New Carnival an SUV Alternative? KIA’s new Carnival arrives with much hoopla and fanfare, and like its predecessor is based on Sorento, and that’s a good thing.

It resembles the latest Sorento in looks and features, and continues the model’s segment-crushing popularity. Carnival has been killing it for years, and is the go-to for peeps with more bums than the average family.

See our outgoing Carnival VIDEO reviews here.

Carnival comes in 4 models, with modest price increases over the outgoing range. As if that wasn’t enough, KIA will add Stonic and Nero SUVS later this year. They come with some tasty electric drive train options, but more about that in due course.

More KIA Reviews HERE:

Is Carnival bigger than the old model?

Oh my-wordy-lordy Yes. Carnival is 20mm higher, 30mm longer in the rear overhang and wheelbase, and 10mm wider than her predecessor.

Carnival has space for up to 8 plucky travellers, and the increased head room is particularly noticeable in the front. Just the thing for a bevy of Bee-Hived babes. Increased rear room allows for extra cargo, like make-up kits, and David Jones bags. Hello Boxing Day Sales.

The exterior is big, square, and very bold. Kia’s in your face style continues to show a great deal of fancy flare which other brands have not been able to match, even the posh ones. In fact, even the other Koreans, and they know who they are, look a little tame by comparison.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -2020 Land Rover Defender 110

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ABOVE: 2021 KIA Carnival – an SUV for 8?

The Safety is either 4 or 5 star, right?

3^rd row passengers have the advantage of cushy side curtain airbags, with 7 airbags in all.

There is no centre front airbag, and KIA makes no comment on whether or not ANCAP will award a 4 or 5 star rating. ANCAP changes the requirements yearly, with a centre airbag being the latest must-have accoutrement. While car companies constantly complain about ANCAP moving the goal posts, buyers win in the safety and security stakes.

Of course, this all comes at a price.

What new gadgets has Carnival got?

New Carnival is stuffed to the gunnels with a gaggle of goodies.

Electric steering has a column mounted motor. This allows nifty active steering features like lane control.

In these unusual times, many features and gadgets have been delayed by COVID, and with Korean designers working from home, some techy goodness might not be available in launch units. We will let you know when, what, and where, when the time arrives.

Top models have a 12.3” infotainment screen, with a 12.3” instrument cluster added for top models. The later has been delayed due to COVID, Platinum will have conventional dials for the time being. There are no plans for an HUD.

Doors have clever automated features for powered rear tailgate and side sliders. The tailgate will close as you walk away. Sliders will warn you if vehicles are approaching, with top models not allowing the doors to be opened. Sliders now have puddle lights, and can be controlled from the key.

Surprisingly, there is no Automatic wiper option, and the smart parking that allows the driver to move the car by using the key as a remote control, is also unavailable. The latter is seen in Sorento.

LED headlights have high beam assist, with the rear end having similarly classy LED arrays.

While all Carnivals get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless CarPlay and Android auto is restricted to non-navigation models. Apparently one of the IT providers (presumably the always-difficult Apple) demand their maps to be the dominant map system. KIA says nooooooo.

The Interior

Carnival’s classy cabin is inspired by the breath-taking Sorento. The top model gets all the LCD screens, and a fancy rotary gear selector. The Platinum gets a wireless phone charger, and sun shades for the 2^nd and 3^rd rows. The 2^nd row middle seat can be moved close to the front seats, rotated 180°, or removed altogether. NOTE: while legal elsewhere, a rear facing seat cannot be used for infants in capsules or restraints in Australia. It puts a baby capsule within easy reach of an allegedly responsible adult. This flexible seating system means there are tracks in the floor, but, needs must.

Drinks are catered for with 4 bottle holders and 9 cup holders, and the are 4 phone holders, with 7 USB chargers and 2 X 12v power outlets.

Seating is covered in cloth trim, or genuine, easy-wipe, fake leather, AKA vinyl.

KIA models Carnival so closely to Sorento’s lavishness, so if you can’t get to a Carnival, take a gander at a Sorento and you’ll get the general drift.

Engine and Drivetrain

All Carnival’s are Front-Wheel-drive with no AWD plans on the board. Let’s face it, very few AWD or 4WD cars ever go off-road. Although AWD gives wet road driving fewer bum-clenching moments, I doubt you’ll notice it in a big “Grand Utility Vehicle”. GUV? Give me a break! Marketers are the living end, really.

Carnival has only 2 engine options, a 3.5L 216kw/355Nm V6 Petrol, or a 2.2L 148kw/440Nm Turbo Diesel. Consumption for this 2136kg people mover is an astounding 9.6L/100k for the V6 and 6.4L/100k for the 2.2 diesel.

KIA has given the (8-sp) transmission and engines a bit of a tickle to bring down the CO2 to 220 and 170 g/k respectively.

For a full list of features and specifications, click here –All New Kia Carnival MY21_Specifications

Some local tuning will have to wait for the Covid situation to abate.

We haven’t taken Carnival on the road trip of a lifetime as yet, but if Sorento is anything to go by, we expect great things. We will do a full review the second KIA has a Carnival available. Covid has really stuffed things up!

Warranty:

KIA’s 7 year unlimited KM warranty is still the industry leader. Although there are 10-year warranties around, KIA’s Damien Meredith says their terms and conditions place the KIA 7-year warranty ahead of the opposition.

Price:

Grade	RRP	Driveaway Price
S Petrol Auto	$46,880	$50,390
Si Petrol Auto	$52,380	$55,790
SLi Petrol Auto	$56,880	$60,290
Platinum Petrol Auto	$64,680	$67,990
S Diesel Auto	$48,880	$52,390
Si Diesel Auto	$54,380	$57,790
SLi Diesel Auto	$58,880	$62,290
Platinum Diesel Auto	$66,680	$69,990