Kia Carnival 2021 review: Platinum family test

This design is a step up on the last model, with black wheels, a new grille, and a brand new shape that is looking more and more SUV-like, with a longer nose and wider body.

This exterior design is a step up on the last model.

There are black tinted windows with a textured silver plate on either side and the whole effect is that of a much more flashy car. It definitely feels a less van than the previous model, a little more SUV.

Inside also feels more premium and it looks like you’re in a proper SUV here. Compared with other people movers that tend to look like a utilities van, this is next level.

It’s got artificial leather seats but I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between these and the real thing and a 'premium' steering wheel. It’s not leather either.

I can confirm the seats are comfortable on a long drive - sometimes I get an achy hip if I drive long distances but this 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat had me fully supported. 

The centre console is well designed, especially compared with other vans.

The centre console is well designed, especially compared with other vans, some of which don’t even have a centre console.

This definitely makes you feel like you’re in a car rather than a van and is more in line with Hyundai’s new Palisade which is an eight-seat SUV. 

Space is good in the front seats, there is a lot of length for long legs and tall people won’t have an issue with head space. It feels very roomy and wide and practically like I'm in my lounge room.

There is so much space throughout the car, you can almost walk in because the floor is so low. And the kids can certainly wander around like it’s a mini room (they’re aged seven and nine). It feels much more roomy than SUVs, including the Palisade. 

All six seats in the back two rows are comfortable. I drove for three hours with two children in the second row, two in the back row, and received a big zero complaints.

Space is good in the front seats and there is a lot of length for long legs.

The second row slides forward if you need it to give more space to the back row and also to let those passengers climb into the car. 

I can sit properly in the third row without angling my knees, I’m 161 cm (5'3") and if you need more leg space, just slide the middle row forward. 

The boot is deep, you'll be able to stack loads of things on top of each other. With all three rows in use the Carnival has 1139L of space - which is already huge - and with the third row down there’s a massive 2461L of space.

This is an improvement on the last model and I could fit everything two families needed for the long weekend away.

It’s the driving that steals the show in the Carnival Platinum. It feels much more like an SUV with a very smooth drive and a powerful engine.

It’s the driving that steals the show in the Carnival Platinum.

This one is the petrol version which has a 3.5L six cylinder engine - there is a diesel option on offer for an extra $2000 if you prefer diesel. 

The Carnival feels much more like an SUV with a very smooth drive and a powerful engine.

It was so great to drive on the open road, there’s no shaking, and there’s no “loose” feeling, it had loads of power to overtake and feels more solid than people movers have in the past for me on highways.

It handles well around corners, the steering is easy to turn and it’s not too heavy on take-off, either. I really enjoyed driving it for three hours, there and back to our weekend away. 

The Carnival is extra long and can stick out a little in carparks.

Parking is not too bad in the Carnival either, given the size. It is extra long and it can stick out a little in carparks, just so you’re aware.

The easy steering makes it doable to squeeze into parks and there is a great reversing camera to help you out, which also has a 360-degree display for a top view. 

There’s a 12.3-inch multimedia screen that connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the USB cord - this one worked seamlessly which is not always the case.

There’s a 12.3-inch multimedia screen that connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the USB cord.

I listened to music via Spotify and navigated with the maps app. You can also connect two phone via bluetooth if you like and throughout the car there are seven USB ports. 

The Kia Carnival Platinum costs $64,680 in petrol, before on road costs.

The Kia Carnival Platinum costs $64,680 in petrol, before on road costs.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.6L/100km and I averaged 8.0L/100km, but that was mostly highway driving. 

It's covered by Kia's seven year/unlimited km warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000 km.