Buy this over SUVs! 2023 Kia Carnival review: Platinum diesel | Better for families than 7-seaters

Let's face it; people movers aren't cool. They've always been daggy. But the 2023 Kia Carnival is here to deliver an attitude adjustment. Yep, it could very well be cool... very cool, in fact.
On one hand, its exterior design is more SUV-like than ever. And on the other, it still offers unrivalled eight-seat practicality. Yep, this is actually a vehicle that seat occupants across three rows and still has plenty of room in the boot for their belongings.
So, in this expert review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Emily Agar and her family spend a week with the Carnival's Platinum diesel flagship to find out firsthand if it's single-handedly taken people movers from undesirable to undeniable.
#Kia #Carnival #review
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00:00 Intro
00:19 Pricing and features
01:12 Design
02:26 Practicality
05:34 Under the bonnet
06:02 Efficiency
06:25 Driving
07:30 Safety
08:16 Ownership
08:42 Verdict
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Read Emily's full review: carsgui.de/3ZZGFRr
Check out our Kia Carnival hub: carsgui.de/3GHgSXr
Find more People movers: carsgui.de/3MELTzh
Visit our Family Guide: carsgui.de/2qpbJia
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[@thulanintshwanti7869]

Your review is truly comprehensive and even though I live in South Africa, the specs are right up my alley.

[@letsseeif]

The Carnival has always 'owned' the Australian people Mover market. thanks Emily for your review.

[@tempestv8]

Yep, the blindspot monitoring cameras, which are in the Kia Sportage, are conspicuously missing on this Platinum trim level, but available in the USA and Canada Carnivals. Also it would be nice to have the option of captain's chairs for the 2nd row, again a feature that is available in the USA.

[@razbakar7889]

Disappointingly, these were promised to the second generation of these new KA4 Carnivals with the excuse of Covid-19 hampering the final nuances and treatments to the vehicles - you'll note a fair few Aussie Motor Reviewers mentioning this on the release of these models in 2021. However, even though the rest of the world seems to get digital driver's dashboard/speedometers (which is where the blind spot monitoring vision is embedded) the Australian market still gets the rather outdated and antiquated analog dashboards! Most disappointing by KIA AUSTRALIA, really....

[@tempestv8]

@@razbakar7889 maybe we'll get the blind spot live view and digital instrumentation in the 2024 Palisade.

[@razbakar7889]

@@tempestv8 One can only hope…. They successfully implemented digital dashboards for Sorrentos and Sportages but somehow felt they could renege on the Carnivals. Your guess is as good as mine as to what they’ll do with the Carnivals…

[@TheJirator]

Fuel consumption below 7l/100km sounds incredible for this monster truck size car :D

[@Mububban23]

I was genuinely amazed at that figure

[@davidpicard5376]

Drove one of these fine vehicles last week in Brisbane while driving family and relatives for five days on holiday. Colour me surprised how comfortable and fuel efficient this vehicle was. I averaged 6.1 litres per 100km although Noosa and Brisbane are relatively flat! Speed limits varied between 80- 110 KMPH on highway. Six adults and one grandchild plus plenty of luggage were the constant on many of our journeys. Prior to this vehicle we rented a Ford Everest Titanium while in Tasmania carrying only four adults and one grandchild. Granted Tasmania is more like New Zealand it's probably unfair to compare fuel economy but couldn't get any more than 8.9 litres per 100 km where speed limits were generally lower. The ride in the Carnival was superior.

[@andrewp8813]

We have a 2015 Diesel Platinum. Has been outstanding.

[@Kev-Wang]

Hate the sunroofs. We don't use them at all and it's extra steamy during summer time

[@offwebprince]

I am very keen to buy , it’s top model .. need family big spacious car .

[@mendistudio]

I love it. Shame we don’t get it in Europe any more.

[@mrjaspalsingh]

How feels the steering?

[@youwebz]

Is there any petrol variants?

[@cootason]

Could see this one easily cruising between Brisbane and Gladstone comfortably. for the long road trips.

[@mvnorsel6354]

A much better option than a 3 row SUV for many but image will put many off.

[@rickdias1981]

6.7L/100Km? That's incredible. Wonder whats the figure in Melbourne's/Sydney's CBD traffic. As for people mover of this price point, I personally prefer Nissan Serena C27 Highway Star.

[@jonasolofsson4128]

I would love to be able to buy one in Sweden but alas...

[@Rollaroundtap]

Please test ldv MIFA in petrol lux grade.

[@kelvpoon]

What’s ur suggestion if I want to fit 5 but not in a 5meter car?

[@1969cmp]

Camry

[@Charmiez911]

Mazda premacy

[@fifiandmax]

Annoys me how much some people focus on numbers of airbags.

[@avghosh]

More than 5mill cars were recalled of Kia and Hyundai in the US, for fire danger, even when they are parked. The recalls have been for newer models of Kia and Hyundai. So, what sort of confidence should we get, for buying these new cars of Kia and Hyundai?

[@retromummy]

Our new Kia Carnival is being towed back to the dealership for a 2nd time in its first 5 months as it loses all power while accelerating in hot weather. It was supposedly fixed but happened less than 1 week earlier and is going to cause a serious accident stopping in the middle of the road. I am warning people to be careful - seems to also be an issue for people in Canada in freezing temperatures. Diesel model only. Paid almost $60k cash at the end of April and can't even find the words to describe how I feel.

[@Hutchy86]

Hi, Has it been sorted now?

[@kelvpoon]

I worry my garage can’t fit this…

[@tayspiderx]

Diesel….

[@muneshnaidu8579]

It's a family bus...

[@rzlb5]

Tihis is not SUV. This is MPV.

[@1969cmp]

MUV

[@johnmerriner6393]

ditto

[@williamdrijver4141]

Please use horsepower rather than kilowatts. It's not an EV 🙂

[@DanzaKurundupothu]

Its not US either

[@whyme4476]

It’s not powered by horses either. This isn’t the Wild West it’s Australia

[@Hutchy86]

@@whyme4476😂👍