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Kia Carnival 2018 pricing and spec confirmed


Kia Australia’s facelifted Carnival people mover has hit showrooms this week, headlined by expanded safety features, a new automatic transmission, an upgraded multimedia system, styling revisions and price rises of up to $2500.

The eight-seat Carnival is once again offered with four grades – S, Si, SLi and Platinum – and two powertrain options, dubbed ‘GDI’ (petrol) and ‘CRDI’ (diesel), that have been tweaked to improve performance and fuel efficiency.

The mid-range Si and SLi grades have copped the largest price rises, at $2500, while the entry-level S and flagship Platinum grades have swelled in cost by $1000 and $1500 respectively.

As such, the S is now priced from $42,490 before on-road costs, rising to $47,990 for the Si, $52,490 for the SLi and $60,290 for the Platinum. The ‘CRDI’ adds a further $2500 over the standard ‘GDI’.

  • The Platinum grade further features blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert and 360-degree cameras. The Platinum grade further features blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert and 360-degree cameras.
  • The S grade will have a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while all other grades receive a larger 8.0-inch unit. The S grade will have a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while all other grades receive a larger 8.0-inch unit.
  • The Si grade adds an eight-speaker JBL sound system, tri-zone climate control, and rear privacy glass. The Si grade adds an eight-speaker JBL sound system, tri-zone climate control, and rear privacy glass.

However, the Carnival’s standard suite of advanced driver-assist safety technologies has expanded to auto emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

The Platinum grade further features blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, high-beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert and 360-degree cameras.

Buyers are also compensated with the addition of a 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system for the S grade, while all other grades receive a larger 8.0-inch unit. Both set-ups support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a hands-free power tailgate is also new for the SLi and Platinum grades.

A new eight-speed automatic transmission with torque convertor replaces the former six-speed unit, serving as the only option to send drive to the Carnival’s front wheels.

The 3.3-litre ‘GDI’ naturally aspirated V6 petrol continues to produce 206kW of power at 6000rpm and 336Nm of torque at 5200rpm, while the 2.2-litre ‘CRDI’ turbocharged four-cylinder diesel develops 147kW at 3800rpm and 440Nm from 1750 to 2750rpm.

Fuel consumption on the combined cycle test for the ‘GDI’ is down 0.8 litres per 100 kilometres, to 10.8L/100km, while the ‘CRDI’ is down 0.1L/100km, to 7.6L/100km.

Styling changes are confined to a redefined ‘Tiger Nose’ front grille, sleeker headlights, and restyled front and rear bumpers, while quad-LED fog lights are exclusive to the Platinum grade.

Standard equipment in the S grade includes 17-inch steel alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, LED tail-lights, black cloth upholstery, first- and second-row power windows, heated side mirrors, roof rails, a 3.5-inch monochrome instrument cluster, an electric park brake with auto-hold function and a four-speaker sound system.

The Si grade adds auto-folding side mirrors, rear privacy glass, a premium steering wheel and gear lever, vanity mirror lights, satellite navigation, an eight-speaker JBL sound system and tri-zone climate control.

Features in the SLi extend to front parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless entry and start, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat with two-way lumbar support and a cooled glovebox.

The Platinum further includes auto-levelling LED headlights, driver seat four-way lumbar support and memory function, eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, ventilated and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and alloy scuff plates.

2018 Kia Carnival list pricing

Kia Carnival S GDI (a) – automatic – $42,490 (+1000)
Kia Carnival Si GDI (a) – automatic – $47,990 (+2500)
Kia Carnival SLi GDI (a) – automatic – $52,490 (+2500)
Kia Carnival Platinum GDI (a) – automatic – $60,290 (+1500)
Kia Carnival S CRDI (a) – automatic – $44,990 (+1000)
Kia Carnival Si CRDI (a) – automatic – $50,490 (+2500)
Kia Carnival SLi CRDI (a) – automatic – $54,990 (+2500)
Kia Carnival Platinum CRDI (a) – automatic – $62,790 (+1500)

Has Kia done enough to keep the Carnival people-mover fresh against its rivals? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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