Kia Grand Carnival 2006 review

Look no further than the totally new Grand Carnival people mover.

It arrived New Years Day and is not just a tarted-up Carnival but a brand new addition to the Kia lineup. Carnival will continue to be sold alongside Grand Carnival but there is a world of difference between the two except in price.

You'll pay about $32,000 for an auto Carnival and five more for this seriously good newcomer.

Ho hum, I can hear cynics say but they are wrong to snigger at this full size, handsome eight seat MPV.

For starters, it runs a potent 3.8-litre, DOHC V6 petrol engine with variable valve timing kicking out a class leading 184kW/343Nm. Nothing in people mover land comes near this. Further improving matters is a five speed tiptronic automatic transmission.

The older Carnival made do with much less than this but was merely a family hack whereas the Grand edges towards what could be termed a performance MPV.

In addition to the extra oomph under the bonnet is an extra seat giving the Grand a total of eight adult-size pews. And theres a large boot too, not merely a token suitcase space but a whole cubic metre capable of taking perhaps four suitcases and other assorted stuff. Kia has done this by relocating the space saver spare wheel under the centre of the vehicle freeing up a deep rear space that can also be used to easily fold the rear seats flat. Fold the centre seats up against the front seats and you are looking at about four cubic metres of space. And the folding seats are all simple to operate requiring minimal effort.

But the centre seats in rows two and three have only lap seat belts.

Still, the new Grand Carnival passes the US NCAP test with a five star rating.

That would be down to the safety cell body and strong chassis, ABS with EBD to control braking, front and side airbags, (the latter are optional here) and other primary safety equipment.

The Grand is fully equipped for the money though our test vehicle was destined to carry Australian Open tennis celebs and scored extra goodies such as electrically operating side slider doors and leather upholstery neither of which you really need.

A step up on climate control air is the Grands Tri-zone air-conditioning that, as the name suggests, offers three climate zones inside the vehicle. The Grand also has remote central locking, power windows all around including the side slider doors and flip out rear side windows.

Theres even aircraft-style tray tables in the rear seats and roof rails are thrown in as is cruise control and multiple power outlets and cup holders.

It really is a practical package offering an extremely high level of comfort for a whole tribe of people.

Though driving a people mover can hardly be termed desirable, there is no cringe factor with this vehicle – it goes. Falcon and Commodore sixes would be hard pressed staying with the Grand Carnival despite its 2.0 tonne weight.

The auto is a cracker sliding imperceptibly between ratios to accurately harness all available power and torque or alternately, optimizing fuel consumption.

The sequential mode is excellent.

And what really surprises is the Grand Carnivals ride and handling. Nothing like a "bus, this large lump sits flat and controlled through corners and feels like a sedan to drive apart from the more upright seating position.

Theres a multi-link rear and strut front suspension controlling dynamics.

Apart from being slightly lower, the Grand is larger all over than the Carnival including the wheelbase and track. It has an SUV look to its flanks and a corporate Kia front style.

And its super quiet wafting along at cruising speed in near silence, the big Grand offers huge rear view mirrors, adjustable steering wheel, six-speaker audio and a tight turning circle.

Fuel economy hovers around the 12.5 litre/ 100km mark and theres 80 litres in the tank.

I have to say the new Grand Carnival was an eye opener to me as good or better than anything else in this segment at a much lower price. Good looking and well built to boot.

Now there is something affordable and decent for large families to drive, hallelujah.