Buying a used Kia Carnival/Grand Carnival (1999-2009)

Weighing 1.7 tonnes before anything was loaded aboard, the 2.5-litre Kia Carnival scored minimal points for performance. Few among the thousands who have bought Carnivals cared, because this big seven-eight seater ‘bus’ was all about plentiful space, standard features and pricing that attracted family and corporate buyers alike.

Equipment including dual-zone air-conditioning, power front windows, a CD stacker and, from 2000, dual air-bag protection was included. From 2001 when the more costly LE model arrived, owners with $40,000 to spend could enjoy leather seat trim, electric seat adjustment and alloy wheels. Less endearing was the absence of ABS that wouldn’t become commonly available on Carnivals until 2006.

More than 18,000 were sold during the Carnival’s first five years in the Australian market and it was lavished with awards for space, practicality and value. Equally spectacular though was the growing list of failed engines and disgruntled owners. A design flaw in the Rover KV6 engine caused cylinder liners to work loose, leading to head gasket failures and engines seizing if the overheating wasn’t quickly noticed. Disintegrating camshafts could also destroy entire engines.

Overseas durability rankings regularly placed Carnival equivalents in last position, with serious problems suffered by more than 24 per cent of vehicles surveyed. In Australia, up to 40 per cent of 2.5-litre models reportedly suffered engine problems.

Many V6s were completely replaced under warranty but plenty of owners who bought used Carnivals that had run beyond the factory or dealer warranty periods were left to cover repair bills that could exceed $8000.

The problem seems to mainly afflict pre-2004 versions and not the Grand Carnival which uses an entirely different engine.

From October 2003 a restyled version was introduced; identified by enlarged headlights and a single-bar grille. Disc rear brakes also arrived and the interior was smartened. The leather-trimmed LE was withdrawn and would not be replaced until the 2006 introduction of an EX Luxury version.

Hundreds of Carnivals were by then being sold to corporate and rental-car operators and from there headed to the private used-vehicle market. Business and well-heeled private buyers were definitely ready for a more opulent and powerful version and the Grand Carnival did not disappoint.

Measuring 5.31 metres, the VQ-series Grand Carnival was 400mm longer than the preceding LS. A three-person central seat meant that accommodation was now available for eight occupants; however those in the middle still suffered the consequences of lap-only seat belts.

A new 3.8-litre V6 boosted power to an impressive 184kW. Hooked to the mandatory five-speed automatic transmission it delivered improved acceleration with minimal effect on fuel consumption. Basic EX versions included ABS, remote central locking, cruise control, electronic brakeforce distribution and a six-CD stacker all for $38,000. The Luxury at $1500 more delivered additional air-bags while the Premium at $44,490 had leather trim and 17 inch alloy wheels.

Costing more than $50,000, the Platinum took Kia’s family-friendly wagon into luxury-land but did include a range of useful additions including park-distance sensors, MP3-enabled Premium sound, rain-sensing wipers and power sunroof.

Keeping those in the market for affordable transport happy was a revised 2.5-litre model that boosted power to 136kW – although still at a howling 6000rpm. With four-speed automatic transmission, the 2006-model EX cost $34,900. The Luxury version provided Tiptronic gear-shifting, a leather-bound wheel and additional air-bags for $1700 extra.   

ON THE ROAD
Critics will tell you that 2.5-litre Carnivals perform like a cracked teapot and have handling prowess to match.  Parents with hordes of kids, relatives and gear to move will point to comfortable and adaptable seating, dual-zone air-conditioning and low used-market pricing.

Some of the price advantage over Taragos and other competitors undoubtedly stemmed from the early versions’ mechanical woes but thousands of Australians still happily buy used Carnivals.

The majority have four-speed automatic transmission but if you can avoid the peak-hour grind, a manual will make best use of the rev-hungry 2.5 engine and save up to 15 per cent at the fuel pump.

Those constraints were overcome by the additional power and extra gear ratio found in Grand Carnival, so go for the bigger Kia if finances allow. The 184kW engine cut 0-100km/h acceleration times by around three seconds and vastly improved safety when attempting to overtake. It also made towing anything heavier than a box-trailer viable.

Improved brakes and standard ABS provide another major incentive to choose one of the later-model Carnivals. Those with drum rear brakes and automatic transmission need to be very carefully monitored during steep descents; selecting a lower gear as a down-hill run approaches and using the brakes only when absolutely necessary. Rear discs minimise brake overheating but fully-laden descents still need transmission braking.

Suggestions that a Carnival being driven anywhere except on a long, flat road might achieve 11L/100km fuel consumption are nonsense. These are heavy, aerodynamically inept vehicles that usually carry four or five people and are used in suburbia or nose-to-tail commuting with the air-con at full-blast. The tank accommodates 80 litres and at a more realistic 15L/100km it will need filling every 500 kilometres.

Versatility and features rate highly in owner assessments. The middle seats can be removed and the rear folded for a huge cargo space. The ‘boot’ – especially in the Grand (pictured) – will take masses of luggage, while things like bicycles can be lashed into the space normally occupied by the centre seats while three riders sit up the back.

The trade-off is silly placement of the spare wheel under the passenger space where it is difficult and even dangerous to access. Parking well off the road, if possible, is recommended before attempting to fish out the spare and change a flat tyre.
 
CHECK POINTS
>> Service history is vital. A high proportion of these vehicles have suffered catastrophic engine failures and others may remain undiscovered. Check the service book – or with Kia if it is missing – to determine if the Carnival you are considering has already undergone major repairs or an engine transplant.

>> Any coolant contamination of the engine oil – lubricant that is creamy in colour – or oily scum in the coolant reservoir denotes a Carnival to avoid.  
>> Forward weight bias and rear drums mean that the front brake discs work hard and a wear quickly. Without ABS, a warped disc can lock very easily in wet weather.

>> Air-conditioning is vital to rear passenger comfort so ensure that the air delivered through rear vents is cold, not just cool.  

>> Operate the side doors several times in succession to ensure that slides aren’t binding and the latch activates every time.

>> Check the body extremities for scratches, dents or obvious repairs caused by careless parking. Centre door skins are also prone to damage from car-park concrete supports.

>> Be wary of 2.5-litre models with tow-bars. These don’t react well when asked to drag heavy trailers and can be suffering transmission stress. The low-slung towbar can easily snag on angled driveways.

>> Seat belts can disappear beneath seats and are difficult to extract. With all belts exposed, check for webbing damage, that all clasps work and that threads for child-seat mountings aren’t damaged.

GRADING – (EX 2.5-litre model 2006-09)
Design & Function: 11/20
Safety: 12/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for Money: 16/20
Wow Factor: 5/20
Score: 60/100