Kia Carnival impressive

A few years ago I wouldn't have given this, the Kia Carnival or any other MPV in fact a second glance. They just didn't appeal to me. Now though it's a vastly different story. I have grown fond of the MPV and in recent years they have indeed become extremely good. Plastic filled rectangles are now premium, tech filled, visually appealing machines that offer a lot for the money they demand. This, the Kia Carnival is one of the best that I have sampled. It was so good that I was actually upset when I had to give it back. Here’s why.

The Carnival, previously known as the Sedona, has a tough job. It has to convince the masses that they don't need an SUV because the MPV can fulfil those needs. Ok, let's dive into what the Carnival is all about.

From a visual perspective this MPV is mighty handsome in my opinion. The front offers a muscular appearance and I particularly like the way in which the LED Day-Time Running Lights blend into the grille. There is a unique element which catches the eye from just about any angle and that is the chrome C-Pillar design element. It looks great and it also adds a bit of drama to the exterior design which separates the darkened rear side window to the rest of the windows.

The rear of the car is also well designed with LED taillights. I have had a number of conversations with many automotive scribes and one thing that we all tend to agree on is that Kia is manufacturing some extremely visually appealing automobiles.

So the exterior is a win for me from every angle. What about the interior? The 12.3 inch touch screen infotainment system, which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible catches your eye, it’s nicely moulded into the dash and easily reached from the uber-comfortable driving position. I also like the analogue dials which are split by a large digital display for all of the driving info.

I will admit that I spent most of my time upfront, however the rear of the Carnival is where the party is really at. Open the hands-free electric sliding doors and you will find that this 7-seater offers two individual seats in the first row and a three seat bench in the second row. The rear offers its own climate functions, a host of USB ports, cupholders and space. Space is probably the main element when it comes to practicality.

The doors provide enough space to get in and out of the vehicle, once inside you are able to move around and get comfortable. The large windows also provide a sense of space, as does the front and rear sunroof. Having a baby has brought to light a number of new things that I look for in a vehicle. The Carnival has easy-to-reach ISOFIX mounting points, The baby seat, thanks to the individual rear seats is on its own, the space between the seats is where the nappy bag goes and the raft of cup holders provide storage for bottles. The rear blinds block out the harsh sun, the large windows provide for an entertaining drive and the boot is big enough to consume the pram and a bunch of other things you need.

This MPV is powered by Kia’s new ‘Smartstream’ 2.2 CRDi turbo diesel engine that delivers 148kW and 440Nm of torque. It sends that power to the front wheels via an eight-speed torque converter auto transmission. One can even toggle between Eco, Sport, Comfort or Smart which adjusts itself, depending on your driving style and environment. I left it in Smart for most of the time which saw an average of just under 7l/100km.

The Carnival was a pleasure to drive, with enough power when needed and it cruised impeccably throughout. It’s quiet, comfortable and economical. It has all the bells and even more whistles. It reaffirms the brand's quality that we are seeing of late, it does offer a strong case against the SUV and it is a vehicle that I could happily pilot as my own.

The new Kia Carnival comes with an unlimited kilometre five-year warranty, including roadside assistance and a six-year/90 000km maintenance plan.