Kia Reviews

The Sport ($56,050 petrol, $58,280 diesel) is the second-cheapest way into the Carnival family — though all models are now more expensive — sitting just above the entry-level S.It builds on the S model’s LED headlights and DRLs, heated mirrors, cloth seats, smart key with push-button start, and integrated 4.0-inch driver display, and a new 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linking with an eight-speaker sound system, now with a surround-sound function.It adds 18-inch alloys, rear LED combination lamps, a leather steering wheel and shifter, and dual-zone climate up front with single-zone temperature control in the second row. New for this updates are AeroBlade wipers, wireless charging and artificial leather seats. The petrol engine is what I reckon is the lesser of the two ICE options — a 3.5-litre petrol V6, producing a rev-happy 216kW and 355Nm. The better option, I think, is the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which makes 148kW and 440Nm, and just suits the nature of the car a little better.Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, and send their power to the front tyres.The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the second row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.

The Berry family has made it two months into their long-term test of the Kia EV9 fully electric seven-seater SUV but is it still the best car this clan claims it has ever tested?

The Kia Carnival range opens with the entry-level S ($50,150 petrol, $52,380 diesel), which scores 17-inch alloys, LED headlights and DRLs, heated mirrors, cloth seats, an electronic parking brake, and a smart key with push-button start, which is new for this update.On the tech front, there is a new integrated 4.0-inch driver display, and a new 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linking with an eight-speaker sound system, now with a surround-sound function.The petrol engine is what I reckon is the lesser of the two ICE options — a 3.5-litre petrol V6, producing a rev-happy 216kW and 355Nm. The better option, I think, is the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which makes 148kW and 440Nm, and just suits the nature of the car a little better.Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, and send their power to the front tyres.The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.

Sometimes I think the present is nowhere near as futuristic as I thought it would be when pondering things 20 years ago.

Kia's Carnival has been refreshed for the 2025 model year, and with the updated model comes new tech, new safety, new driving dynamics... and new and more expensive pricing. So is this still the pick of the family haulers? We put it to the test to find out.

In 15 years of reviewing vehicles Richard Berry thinks Kia's EV9 could be the best car he's ever tested. But there are still two months to go in this long-term test of the pure-electric seven-seat SUV

Entry-level doesn't mean sub-par. If you're in the market for a decent seven-seater with updated technology and a solid features list, then it's a given Kia's Sorento S diesel AWD is likely in your sights. It may not exude the posh appeal of the Sorento upper-spec variants, such as the GT-Line, but this practical SUV has plenty of potential as a family mover.

Kia hits all of the right notes with the 2024 flagship Sorento GT-Line. The large SUV sees some tweaks with updated technology and a long features list but how does it handle family life?

The line-up for the 2024 Kia EV6 mid-size SUV now offers buyers the same number of choices as popular rivals, allowing families to find the perfect electric 'fit' for their lives. What else does the it offer?

The base-model Kia Picanto Sport is available in either four-speed automatic or five-speed manual guise, and is one of Australia's most affordable brand new vehicles.