Kia Australia have introduced of the automaker’s updated range for their Carnival featuring an updated suite of safety features and some mechanical upgrades as well for the eight-seater MPV.
Now, across all variants, starting from the base S at $42,990, the Carnival is available with Autonomous Emergency Braking, and joining it are Lane Departure Warning, six airbags, and rear parking sensors.
Stepping up to the higher priced variants, though, grants access to Lane Departure Warning, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert - a spread with a price tag that can stretch as high as $62,790.
The new additions do give the entry level Carnival something to brag about even if its steel wheels and manual climate controls do not put it in good stead. Buyers can choose between a single petrol or diesel engine with the latter being the pricier of the pair.
Kia insists that, despite this not being a new model, their engineers have worked hard to ensure that his facelift was not limited to the visual or superficial. They’ve actually managed improve the Carnival’s structural rigidity by some 74 percent.
A naturally aspirated 3.3-litre V6 petrol is available that will deliver 206kW and 336Nm while the oiler is the the company’s old guard, a 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel four-cylinder that generates 147kW and 440Nm, and adding $2,500 to the list price in the process.
Regardless, power is funnelled through a new 8-speed automatic transmission, and choosing the higher grade Si (and up) would yield a plusher interior, larger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, and an 8-speaker JBL audio system. The SLi is where Kia hopes most buyers will land, if not merely swayed by the heavily-chromed 18-inch wheels, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and a fully leather interior.
At the top of the range, Kia will be offering the Carnival in Platinum guise, armed with even larger 19-inch wheels, a satin-finished bumper highlights, a gloss black grille, and every safety and convenience feature that the South Koreans could throw at it.
Carnival - 3.3-litre GDI
- Carnival S - $42,490
- Carnival Si - $47,990
- Carnival SLi - $52,490
- Carnival Platinum - $60,290
Carnival - 2.2-litre Turbodiesel
- Carnival S - $44,990
- Carnival SL - $50,490
- Carnival SLi - $54,990
- Carnival Platinum - $62,790
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