Kia Carnival gets across the line

Kia's Carnival, updated for 2016, has achieved a five-star result in an ANCAP crash test last month.

A rematch between Kia's popular seven-seater and a concrete block has been a little while coming, with the manufacturer returning to the drawing board for some engineering tweaks, after the latest-generation model failed to do better than four stars when ANCAP last tested it.

According to a press release issued by ANCAP (the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme), the Carnival tested incorporates changes that have augmented its crash-safety level from a production date of December 23, 2015.

“After a disappointing 4 star result for the Carnival in March last year, Kia has worked to implement a number of safety improvements which have seen the vehicle reach the 5 star mark,” ANCAP CEO James Goodwin was quoted saying in the press release.

“A number of design changes to the Carnival have seen the score in the frontal offset test increase substantially and consumers should feel confident the updated vehicle offers significant improvements to safety.

“There continued to be some issues with intrusion into the driver’s foot well area and pedal movement however, the risk was reduced compared to the previously tested model.”

The problem for the Carnival in its first incarnation was flawed crash safety protection for right-hand drive models. That has since been addressed and ANCAP has seen frontal offset crash safety for the vehicle improve from 10.48 to 14.29 points out of a possible maximum of 16.

“At the time of the original test it is fair to say that we were disappointed, but safety is a non-negotiable for Kia and the determination of all involved to retain Kia Motors Australia’s record of an all five-star model line-up was admirable,” said Damien Meredith, COO for Kia Australia.