Kia Carnival Platinum 2021 Review

The 2021 Kia Carnival ‘KA4’ line-up consists of eight variants across four trim levels – S, Si, SLi and Platinum – and two engines: a new petrol V6 and revised four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Pricing starts from $46,880 plus on-road costs for the base-spec petrol Carnival S and tops out at $66,680 plus ORCs in top-spec Platinum diesel form. Kia Australia is also offering drive-away deals for the new people-mover that we’ve covered in our separate pricing story.

We’re testing the Carnival Platinum Petrol model at launch, fitted with a new 3.5-litre V6 and driving the front wheels through an upgraded version of the eight-speed automatic transmission found in the previous model.

In 2021, Australia’s best-selling people-mover nameplate is more tech-laden than ever, debuting several segment-first features and a package that feels much more premium than before. 

Riding on Hyundai and Kia’s latest N3 platform that underpins the latest Kia Sorento SUV, the 2021 Kia Carnival is now bigger in every direction, gaining 40mm in length and 10mm in width as well as a 30mm wheelbase extension. It stands 20mm taller, too.

This contributes to a more spacious cabin that’s also quieter thanks to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) improvements. Along with a specific Aussie suspension tune, Kia says the new Carnival comes with revised suspension geometry and a new motor-driven steering rack (replacing the previous hydraulic system) that’s said to be more responsive with improved control.  

Much like the brand-new Sorento seven-seat SUV with which it has much in common, the 2021 Kia Carnival is packed with loads of safety equipment including seven airbags and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems.

Standard active safety equipment across the range includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction assist and pedestrian and cyclist warning, rear cross traffic alert, multi-collision braking, intelligent speed assist and speed limit warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist and driver attention warning.

Carnival SLi and Platinum variants come with Safe Exit Assist and rear cross traffic collision avoidance, while Rear Occupant Alert is reserved for Platinum grades.

Kia admits the Australian-spec version should’ve come with extra equipment too, like automatic wipers and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster seen on overseas models. However, due to COVID-19-related restrictions placed on the manufacturer last year, these will now form part of a future update.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring is provided across the range, however only the entry-level Carnival S can have it function wirelessly. Again, due to COVID, Kia says wireless smartphone mirroring couldn’t be developed for other variants in time for the Carnival’s Australian launch, but it should join the party before too long.

You feel safe when driving the new Carnival but, like its SUV sibling, functions such as lane keep assist prove a little overbearing at times. A quick tip we learned was that you’re able to turn it off via a three-second hold of the lane assist button on the steering wheel, instead of rifling through the touch-screen for vehicle settings.

Upon rifling however, you come across a bunch of other cool features, such as the Bose ‘Sounds of Nature’ option, where you can listen to someone trudging through snow, or birds chirping in a forest, if you get tired of your regular playlist.

There’s also a passenger talk function, which uses the front microphone to pick up the driver’s voice and play it through the rear speakers – no more yelling required – as well as a quiet mode that plays radio/media through the front speakers only, so you don’t have to wake the baby or other sleeping passengers.

Lastly, you can create personalised profiles to save settings such as mirror and seat positions, Bluetooth connection, voice memos, previous navigation settings and more.

The 12.3-inch central touch-screen is easy to use, with great sensitivity and futuristic graphics. 

There’s a lot to like about the new 2021 Kia Carnival, but we think several standout features in top-spec Platinum variants deserve special mention.

These include dual tilting and sliding sunroofs, sun blinds for the second and third row, puddle lamps, 3D garnished mood lighting on the front interior door trims, eight-way adjustable front seats with driver memory function, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

Platinum variants also come with segment-first features including wireless phone charging and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) – as seen on the new Sorento SUV – that reminds the driver to check the rear seats for kids or pets before exiting the vehicle.

The Carnival flagship also comes with Smart Temperature Comfort Control, which automatically activates the heated/ventilated front seats and heating steering wheel “if there is a major difference between actual temp and climate control settings”.

SLi and Platinum Carnival grades also come with a neat woodgrain dash insert, USB ports for third row passengers, remote start (allowing you to warm up or cool down the cabin before getting in) and Safe Exit Assist – a function that prevents the rear doors opening if the vehicle detects oncoming traffic.

On the latter, Kia says this potentially life-saving feature stops excited children jumping out of the car and on to a busy road upon stopping.

Not least of all, a new feature available across all model grades is a reversible centre seat in the second row.

This seat can be swivelled 180 degrees so that the passenger is facing the rear of the car. The seat belt still functions as normal, and Kia had originally highlighted its benefit for parents who might place a baby in a rearward-facing capsule in this position.

The company has since advised, however, that the reversible seat has only been homologated for use in the forward-facing position. As such, Kia says it “discourages the use of a child restraint in the seat whilst that seat is rearward-facing”.

Our 2021 Kia Carnival Platinum test car was fitted with the manufacturer’s new 3.5-litre petrol V6, a replacement for the previous model’s 206kW/336Nm 3.3-litre unit.

Producing higher outputs than before, the V6 now delivers 216kW of power and 355Nm of torque (up 10kW/19Nm) and Kia promises it’s better on fuel too, claiming it’ll sip 9.6L/100km on the official combined cycle.

On test across the New Year period, we achieved average fuel consumption of 8.2-9.5L/100km, racking up approximately 1000km. That included highway driving, as well as plenty of country road travel and a few shorter suburban trips.

The petrol engine and eight-speed automatic combination works well in most conditions, but try and take off in a hurry – especially when the road’s wet – and you’ll get a decent serving of wheel spin (and stability control intervention) before you can move off.

The automatic can also feel a little sluggish on the move, taking longer than expected to select the appropriate gear when putting your foot down to overtake another car, for example.

Responsive shift paddles mounted to the steering wheel make the drive more engaging, as does selecting ‘Sport’ through the drive mode settings, which stiffens up the steering and dials up the revs.

Overall, the new V6 is a strong performer, even with a full set of passengers on board. It’s quiet and refined, even under load and with enough guts to toot along comfortably.

On the open road, the new Kia Carnival doesn’t feel like a van – or a typical people-mover for that matter.

Its light steering (which is now motor-driven instead of hydraulic) makes it feel more car-like than before, with a tight turning circle of 11.7 metres. Despite the Carnival’s hefty proportions and the fact that it’s bigger than the model it replaces, it’s easy to manoeuvre.

Opting for the flagship Platinum model makes it even easier, with an array of cameras and sensors to help you gauge its size and tackle the Maccas drive-thru without kissing the gutter.

There’s vision galore from the driver’s seat, with generous glass windows all round. Finding a comfortable position for drivers of almost any size is easy too, thanks to a height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel and a wide range of electric seat adjustability.  

With just a few passengers on board, the Carnival rides smooth and stable on the road. Admittedly though, the suspension tune feels better suited to carrying weight, as the vehicle’s rear-end can feel a little floaty over bumps if it’s not loaded up. 

Pile in the family, dog and some luggage for a week away, and the Carnival feels right at home.

And so do the passengers.

No one’s a second-class citizen in the Carnival, thanks to oodles of legroom and headroom for almost any size human. Even with all eight seats occupied by fully grown adults, there are no complaints for space.

The cabin appears well-built too, with solid materials throughout that make for a quiet cabin while on the move. As expected, the ride is noisier over coarse-chip surfaces, but it’s an improvement on its predecessor.

For years, the Kia Carnival has been a trusted hauler for both private and commercial endeavours Down Under.

What started as a cheap and cheerful minivan has since bloomed into something the Queen of England might welcome riding in.

Okay, it’s not Her Majesty the Queen’s State Limousine. But we can’t imagine a kid out there that’d be embarrassed getting into the new Carnival at school pick-ups.

With even more practicality, safety and value now on offer, big families would be crazy not to test-drive the 2021 Kia Carnival.

How much does the 2021 Kia Carnival Platinum Petrol cost?
Price: $64,680 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol
Output: 216kW/355Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 220g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)*
*ANCAP rating published 30/04/2021

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