2010 Kia Carnival update for Australia

Kia Australia has launched an updated version of its Kia Carnival people-mover with safety, fuel efficiency and subtle Schreyer-inspired styling among the key changes.

The range has undergone a naming restructure, with Grand Carnival Si replacing EXE and SLi replacing Premium. Platinum remains the range-topper while the SWB Carnival EXE is now known as the SWB Carnival S and is available only with automatic transmission.

Side and curtain airbags are now standard across the Carnival range, and the SLi and Platinum models also get a rear-view mirror integrated reversing camera system.

The new 3.5-litre V6 Lambda II engine is smaller than the previous model but offers an extra 20kW, taking total power to 202kW.

Teamed with a new six-speed automatic transmission (which Kia claims is the most compact in the world), fuel consumption is down 1.9 litres/100km to 10.9 while emissions have dropped 43g/km CO2 to 259.

The Schreyer family grille heads the visual changes along with new 16in steel wheel covers for the S and Si and new 17in alloys for the SLi and Platinum.

The Carnival has been a dominant force in the people-mover segment in Australia, finishing each year since 2006 as the highest selling vehicle. In total, 29 percent of the people-movers sold since the beginning of 2006 have been Carnivals.

Year-to-date sales for 2010 were up 18.3 percent after May and it continues to lead the way with a 28.7 percent market share, ahead of the Hyundai iMax (21.2 percent) and the Toyota Tarago (14 percent).

Kia Australia President and CEO, Mr MK Kim, said the Carnival update would do the segment-leader no harm.

“The people-mover segment has been under attack for several years now, firstly by the introduction of seven-seat SUVs and then more recently by a global economic downturn affecting families, car rental companies and the hospitality industry – the segment’s three core markets.

“Early indications are that the refreshed Carnival range is entering at a good time. April sales alone are up 51 percent compared to April last year in the people-movers segment. We’re proud to introduce an eight-seat vehicle which sets new standards in safety and fuel efficiency in such an important family driven market,” Mr Kim said.

The new Kia Carnival range begins at $36,990 for the Carnival S. The Grand Carnival Si petrol enters at $41,490 and the diesel Platinum tops the range at $56,990.

TomJ

Awesome!

I was in the market for a new Kia Carnival but i really didn’t like the style of the old alloys, this is definitely a deal sealer for me.

Tim

Not sure if serious.

TomJ

No im serious, test drive a Carnival and you will see, the 4 cylinder engine is really a gem, so much power you’ll ever need to use it, and i find if you option the more upmarket “sportz” model, it gets European styled woodgrain trim and extra cupholders.

But the main reason i bought one is i was looking for a sporty styled vehicle, which i could use in the transit lane. You see if i decorate a few manikins in and fill the front seat, second row, and the third row of seats, it allows me to travel in these lanes, and the other motorists get to admire the cars brilliant styling.

Benjo

Lol, ah classic

http://www.facebook.com/sammo.8191 Sam Moss

It still looks like a bus, and probably drives like one too.

I’ll take an Odyssey, thanks.

Familt Guy

We have a Grand Carnival. Based on looks, driving dynamics etc I would have always gone for the Odyssey. When I looked at having more than 5 of us in the car with stuff, you know practical use, the Kia wins hands down.

D

That grill doesn’t suit that car at all and those wheels look terrible.

This is the first Kia in a long time where the previous model looks better than the new one.

Steve-Poyza

I agree with absolutely everything you said. My god this thing took a step back. They can’t put that grill on this car, the rest of the design doesn’t match at all. And those wheels are really really ridiculous!

I’ve never minded the Carnival’s looks, sure its not at all pretty but it doesn’t try to be anything other than it is. Its bland in almost every way but its a box and really gets the job done. Somehow this facelift just made it look worse. I think the replacement is overdue now.

Anti-spam word: Bugatti
Haha!

Baddass

The wheels look so after market cheap. I wonder if the teenagers doing work experience at Kia were allowed to contribute to this small bit of design. After all, they would look fully sik on a Mirage…

Adam

Yay now it only looks 9 years out of date instead of 10!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668475019 Jake Williams

Are you sure? Those new alloys look pretty awful…

Jabba the Hut

The next one will have their proper new corporate face no doubt. This one is more about getting a decent powerplant in it. A stop gap model and not much else.

Pizza the Hut

The Carnival certainly needs a decent powerplant. Preferably one that doesn’t sieze up after a 50,000km and then you’re left without any support from Kia.

Their response to the well known and ongoing problems with the 2.7L V6 has been very poor and left many owners seriously out of pocket.

That alone would put me off buying one, let alone the styling, performance, handling and the lap only seat belts.

matt

The engine problem was in the 2.5 V6 in the old gen model, the newer 2.7 is a Hyundai engine and has had no such troubles as has the 3.8 and now 3.5. Lap only belts are the middle in the rear rows. FYI kia replaced a mates engine out of warranty with 80ks on it, with him paying for fluids only.

Pizza the Hut

You are correct about the 2.7L engine in the post 2005 models, but the response from Kia on the previous 2.5L engine has generally been to wash their hands of it. That’s why there are class actions in progress from the many disappointed owners. Your mate seems to be the only one that was looked after. But why should he have to pay for the fluids? That is strange.
I know the lap belts are only on the middle seats, but that is still not acceptable in this day.
GlendaSings

We had a 2000 Carnival. Engine blew at 104,000, just over three years old, after a LOT of arguing Kia provided us with a ‘short engine’ and it cost us $1400 to have it installed. 58,000km later, the replacement engine also blew and we sold it to a dealer for virtually nothing.

Dennis

I will be in the market soon for a true family vehicle.

Problem is that the KIA Grand Carnival is the most thought out and practical people mover on the market.

If you have more than 3 Kids that need child seats everything else doesn’t cut it.

Unfortunately i cannot not afford a new one and the current ones for sale are the pre 5 year warranty units. Just have to wait a bit longer. Also the CRDi is a must…

Long Live the Load lugger

Territory fits three full size car seats across the middle, uses about the same in fuel, but misses on space overall, Fords doing something on 5 yr warranty too???

Dennis

So how do you use the 3rd row seats with child seats in? You can’t….

MattP

I recently bought a Hyundai iMax turbodiesel, 8 seat and acres of space. I found a five month old one with 11,000km for $37K. It drives so well it surprised us! Plus the dealer has extended the warranty to seven years.

I’d recommend checking out an iMax before you buy anything else.

Baddass

I have no clue but do the Carvival and iMax/iLoad share some mechanicals? I would make sense in that partnership to share platforms.

Frank

Will this one have 3-point seat belts in all seating positions?

Ad

I asked a dealer if the update would have 3-point belts for all seats and he said a lap belt was good enough and brushed off any concerns for passenger safety.

The Oracle

I received the same repsonse once at the Sydney Motor Show. I asked him which of his children was his least favourite and would prefer to put in the unsafe seat. But I suppose if a car salesman says it’s OK, than that must be true.

MattP

FYI, the iMax has three point belts for all eight seats.

Tony

The shame of it is that the updated Kia Sedona (SWB Carnival) in the UK has a middle seat with 3 point safety belt. Kia are just being super lazy on this one.

nickdl

The alloys have come straight from Autobarn. It’s a bit of a shame because Kia could have even more sales potential for the Carnival if it looked better. The top V6 model costs about the same as the base 4cyl Tarago which is a far better looking vehicle.

The new engines look really good in the Carnival (hopefully they work this time!!) but it’s so ugly.
t

i have hired one of the previous grand carnivals for a family trip. It was FANTASTIC!!! i loved kicking v6 commodores asses off the traffic lights with its 180kw.

it was rather thirsty though!!! the year after this we took a tarago…. easier to park….. slow, a LOT less space.

the 7 people on board on both trips put the kia number one, not bad for half the price!

we loved it!

Micky

Yeah right you beat Commodores at the lights. I just checked the official 0-100 km/h time is 10.5 seconds. Most V6 engined sedans will achieve the sprint in less than 8 seconds. You must have caught the Commodore drivers by surprise – because they weren’t expecting you to race off at the lights like an idiot, they obviously didn’t either. The Grand Carnival weighs 2086kg compared to less than 1700kg for a Commodore so there’s no way it’s going to be faster, plain and simple.

nickdl

Must have been a VB Commodore!

Bundy

So ghey can wack on a cerato grill and new gear box and there u have it, a new model for the next 8 years. Of all 8 seaters with seats up the grand wins hands down for boot space….
Bundy

”’they. And was sitting in a black one and all Crome options and really dark tint looks awsome compared to 8 seater people movers
Davo

I’m looking to update my current Grand Carnival, but with lap only belts in the rear I’ll look elsewhere. Why are kids in Australia worth less than in the USA where they get lap/sash belts all round?

The Oracle

Well, the answer for your question is that K.I.A. is an abbreviation of “Killed In ACtion”. The lap only seat belts will certainly help in that regard.

Justin

I don’t get all the crud over lap belt only for the middle row. My 3x child seats use the lap part only of a lap/sash belt, and to do that I had to buy an adapter thingee. Having a lap belt only in the center (and safest) seat is a big plus.

GlendaSings

Justin, your kids will not always be in car seats, and that’s when it becomes a problem.

Yianni

Are they for real? It looks like it was built in 1988.
Mike

Am i the only one that reckons it looks better and less bus like than the previous model?!

Baddass

Well since it has no panel changes from the old model I don’t know how you came to that conclusion.

Mike

the wheels and grill…

Robin Graves

Different part number grill = Schreyer design in Kia speak. Looks shocking along with the ebay alloys.
Thannell

Kia Australia’s lack of maturity really shows with this vehicle.

Lap only belts are deadly in a crash, especially to children. So what does Kia Australia do? They continue to fit them to 25% of the seats within the Grand Carnival.A vehicle that is probably most likely to be carrying children.

You won’t find them on Rio, Soul, Cerato, Sportage, Sorrento and Rondo7. So why the Carnival/Grand Carnival?
ridley

It looks like a 1980s american people mover

the previous model looks more modern
pjb

lap only belts in rows 2 and 3 are killers. Litterally. Don’t use those seats with anyone you love.
camilladuffy

The lap only belts arent really a problem when you have 3 in car seats – the harness makes the lap sash safe!

ssao

two-point belts won’t kill your kids on the spot. internal bleeding will. Can’t tell from the outside. Check hospital reports. The kids will just feel cold and colder and fall asleep.Why do you think they invented the stuff?it’s no good outliving your children. Believe me.

Frustrated

Kia needs to get their act together re lap/sash belts in all seats.

Lap belt is only useable if you have a kid in an anchored carseat or harness. No use once the kids out grow up a bit and need a proper seat belt. If 2 middle seats only have lap belts – a Carnival is only a 6 seater!!! If you fold down the back seats for more luggage then it is only a 4 seater.

What a joke.
mick

I installed raceing harness in the rear two rows

Alyson

Hi Mick, can you tell me what is a racing harness and how do you install them, i am very interested in how to make those lap belts safe for my kids?

James

See the Toyota Tarago its much better.
Dannielle

I’m about to buy one of these and I asked the salesman at the dealer about the seatbelts, specifically could I get them fitted as 3 points by the dealer – like everything else I asked him about, he said “I’ll have to find out”. Wasn’t impressed with the salesman AT ALL. Whilst the car is a bus and ugly to boot, it has the most space and will fit my three kids, extra gear etc. in it much better and at a more reasonable price than anything else I looked at, and I looked at all the people movers and SUV’s in my price list. If the dealer can’t fit my seatbelts I am going to explore other options to get them done. It is just rubbish they get 3 points in the US/UK and we don’t.
Frustrated

If Hyundai can give all 8 seats a lap/sash belt in their iMax, why don’t Kia in their Grand Carnival?

Doesn’t Hyundai part own Kia now anyway?

Not having lap/sash belts and only a space saving spare has stopped us buying a Grand Carnival.
http://ozmazda.com ozmazda

My mates 2005/6 Mazda MPV 3ltr V6 looks and goes better than one of these ugly things….its a shame that Mazda didn’t keep the MPV going but then the CX9 is a great family wagon which will replace my mates MPV very soon.
James

There cheap and c*** covers it all.