Kia Carnival 2021 review | Chasing Cars

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We drive the new 2021 Kia Carnival Platinum and see how this van compares.
How much better is the new 2021 Kia Carnival? This large, 5.1-metre people mover has returned in all-new ‘KA4’ form for Australia. The 2021 Carnival is still available with turbo diesel or V6 petrol engines, and it’s front wheel drive only, somewhat limiting its appeal. But unlike a large SUV, this vehicle is properly spacious for eight people and their luggage. Plus, the new Carnival looks better than ever, at least in our eyes.
In today’s video, Tom takes a detailed look at the top of the range Carnival Platinum Diesel while also sampling the most affordable Carnival S petrol V6. Which Carnival is right for you? Should you take one over a Kia Sorento or a Hyundai Palisade? We seek to provide some answers.
What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.
While you’re there, please consider subscribing and joining our Chasing Cars community.

[@autonewstv86]

*Thats the best looking minivan I’ve ever seen, looks like an suv*

[@koreanfriedchildren]

*I like it better than the Chrysler Pacifica.. why are we talking in bold though*

[@everythingisawesome2903]

*It's an MUV*

[@ZigZag9639]

Yep, that's why Kia is calling it a "GUV".

[@brookslegend3939]

Pro trick: you can watch movies on KaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.

[@otistheo7746]

@Brooks Legend yup, I have been using Flixzone} for since november myself :)

[@limpunsing224]

This is minivan worth owning for growing family Nice review

[@ZigZag9639]

This is the best-looking minivan. Yes, we've made up our minds to go for this MY21 Kia Carnival!

[@gurjottakhar903]

Hats off to kia 👏🏻 No doubt they’ve come a long way ♥️

[@nchia]

Can’t get over that falling leaf near the beginning. Really well done! 😆

[@lsiv12]

Happy 2021 Tom!! Great review !

[@chasingcars]

Same to you! Thanks for watching.

[@davidarter9670]

The Carnival has always been the vehicle of choice for our golf weeks away. The previous model was excellent, this seems even better.

[@HarcourtK]

Was going to upgrade from current Platinum to the new Platinum but now won’t. The Australian spec is missing most of the new features I was looking forward to. No digital instrument display. No electric reclining rear seats with foot rests. No captains chairs. No alternate interior colour option (tan). No voice recognition system. Just not worth the upgrade for slightly better suspension.

[@nurbsenvi]

Same, what an insult to Aussies

[@obsidiongamer7651]

What is it with the Asian car market always dumping there budget version vans on Aussies , do they think we love no frills vehicles or something ? Toyota does it with there tarago’s , they should sell us the taragos with vell-fire interior no instead they give us there budget version tarago, Kia is no different it’s annoying 🙄

[@martinbennie2515]

Hi Tom. Great review . What is the interior colour options in the base model? Being in the rental industry the prev gen light colour is a cleaners nightmare

[@klipschs]

Awesome van! Space space space! Diesel and luxury spec is what I would order

[@paulsmithpaulsmith2915]

My platinum is due in December this year. Cannot wait.

[@GerryStilton]

Thanks for the vid. Are the second row outboard seats removable if I need to haul something large and long?

[@johnjones5784]

Great review thanks. What colour is the car that you are test driving? And is the spare wheel a space saver or full size spare? Thanks

[@meownmazda1]

Love that jacket you’re wearing

[@glennbell5075]

Have a 2018 Platinum Carnival but will wait until we get the features that overseas are getting before upgrading. It’s not worth the $70k list price as it presents now in Platinum grade. I do like the fact they are finally putting quality tyres on as some of the Korean tyres have been very average in Australian conditions.

[@matthewhayford5466]

Good job with the video.

[@seapen9608]

Imagine if it had All Wheel Drive!!

[@RO5CO88]

Can all the 2nd row seats come out or is it just the middle one?

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

100Kw/t in a people mover! That's awesome. The diesel is an average 70Kw/t as expected but thats still better than many a soccer mum bus. Kia have it together here. Vans are actually sorta fun to drive in an odd sorta way.

[@fyks6447]

It's hard to manoeuvre in some narrow path in some shopping centres with high kerb on both sides .

[@russellbull_]

Really disappointing that it misses out on the digital display and auto wipers that my 2011 car currently has. They say its comming in 2022 so my now nearly 70k car will be obsolete in a year and the resale value in a few years will be down the toilet. Hmm I was sold before this.

[@pauljeffery5691]

Good for me as I can’t afford $70k so I’m willing to buy yours for $50k and turn the wipers on myself 😄 but I see your point I wouldn’t be happy as a new buyer but I guess you have a choice to make

[@maddad4670]

ordered one today :)

[@Yannch015]

Been waiting this for a while but bit disappointed because why overseas looks much better and more option in the seat configuration

[@morganrutnum]

Hey Tom, love your reviews! Any word on the hybrid that is set to be offered on sorento/Santa fe being offered on this in Aus in the near future? Also, does the upcoming hybrid system that is planned to be employed by Hyundai group use an ice motor for front drive and then electric motor for rwd to provide awd (like some Toyota’s) or is it a combined awd system?

[@chasingcars]

Thanks so much! On hybrid, Kia have confirmed that the Sorento plug-in hybrid will arrive in Australia sometime between now and March 2021. A conventional series-parallel hybrid will be added to the Sorento range "later this year". The Group haven't confirmed whether it's a rear-motor AWD system like the Toyota unit, but I have asked. I expect we'll find out shortly.

[@morganrutnum]

@@chasingcars thanks heaps for your response. Keen to hear what the set-up is going to be. Sorry if I worded my original post poorly but I was also wondering if KIA Australia made any mention of the carnival being hybridised too, given they’re sharing a platform?

[@onto4541]

Thanks for the excellent review as always! Can Toyota Granvia compete with the new Kia Carnival at all?

[@chasingcars]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful. Yes, the Carnival and Granvia do compete, but because the Carnival rides on a car chassis (not a van chassis like the Granvia) it rides more comfortably.

[@rajjat001]

As usual great content Tom. Audi Q3 quattro ,Kia Stinger GT line or Bmw 330i wagon which of these will be idle for in city drive,long drive to country side and occasional sandy surface or area with gravel roads( not big fan of off roading). We are family of 3 adults with a baby coming. I am hell confuse on which car to buy. So decided on 3 mentioned above.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks! If you can stretch to the 330i Touring wagon it is absolutely worth it.

[@rajjat001]

@@chasingcars Thanks for the advise ,that's my personal choice as well. We are stuck on Audi Q3 sportsback quattro and BMW 330i touring most probably it will be 330i touring with M-sport package. This will be my 1st car in my life. Though many of my known ones have advised me lease one if I am going for German cars and buy one if I am going on Japanese cars? How good is this advise ?

[@johnholst]

Not as nice as the model we get in Korea. But a big improvement over the old model.

[@huntiero]

Happy New Year, Tom. In regards to the lack of local steering tuning, do you foresee the Melbourne lockdown haven’t further impact on new vehicle adjustments? If so, would you recommend/suggest holding off on purchasing 2020/21 models until the full effect on the local automotive industry from COVID or is it just Melbourne’s facilities that impacted new models?

[@forrevenge18]

KIA never fails to deliver!

[@richguy8317]

Awesome

[@malcolmmcinnes4081]

Kia have failed to deliver on Platinum model panel and GPS features - back to the Sorento GT if I had to pick one

[@jazzyprince7133]

Bought one today

[@Yannch015]

I love the car expect the signal lights at the back they should put led lights

[@kevyndignum4636]

Notice no one demonstrates the leg rest , because I pull stomach muscles every time I try to lower leg rest

[@atlasko1]

The deal breaker for me is the omission of rain-sensing automatic wipers... guess I’ll be waiting for the MY22.

[@ryant2568]

Really? that seems like a small thing to be a deal-breaker.

[@ryant2568]

@AsakoKagurazaka but are auto-wipers that important? you can just turn them on manually with the stalk.

[@atlasko1]

@@ryant2568 Having owned cars with auto wipers over the last 10-plus years, it is one of those things that one gets used to and would appreciate. I certainly miss it when driving a rental without the feature. I’m looking at the platinum grade, and at that price point, it really should be there. The digital gauges and the Aussie steering tune I can live without. Each to their own, I’m certainly waiting till these features become available. Meanwhile, I’ll just have to work out how to squeeze 3 child seats in the back of my existing cars!

[@jamiebagala1897]

A great vehicle, big improvement over the previous generation. But this has nothing in terms of space, seating configuration over say a VW Multivan or V class Merc. The VW can be had in AWD too, pretty important when you have a bunch of torque going through the front wheels of a vehicle that’s 5ish metres long.

[@McDowallManor]

It is lovely looking. I have the current platinum diesel version in the same colour as the review. So, let's compare. It's the little things that matter. No wireless car play is rubbish Kia, although the wireless charging is good. Analogue dash is also equally rubbish. I'm sick of lagging behind the Sorrento. In my model it was the lane assist that was lacking. Good choice to include the auto open on the side doors. I love the new middle seat being able to rotate in the 2nd row but being able to take it out is nothing new. Like the sun rooves. Nice you heated the 2nd row. The lag in improvements will mean I will not buy the new version. Also yawning waiting for a hybrid or electric option. If they added an all wheel drive as well, they'd would just dominate the market. Silly Kia.

[@isaialeuila9327]

Dangg, you sure go and work for Kia 😂

[@khalequeshah6420]

Totally agree! KIA delayed the launch of new Carnival by six months, and yet this model falls short. Let alone, the upgrade from MY19 model to MY20 model is marginal. Disappointing KIA. The sad part is, both Honda & Toyota are behind to challenge KIA's dominance. All in all, the MPV market is small and not enough competition.

[@MrBENTPIN]

Would you recommend it but

[@McDowallManor]

@@MrBENTPIN If you don't own one, then hell yes. If, like me, you have last year's model, then don't bother to trade up. It is a fantastic car. Very flexible, lots of luxury and lots of room. The best vehicle I have ever owned.

[@MrBENTPIN]

@@McDowallManor thanks mate. Looking at cx 9 palisade and carnival

[@JessAlekzandr]

I want this car but unfortunately in the US market we have to wait another year so I guess the Telluride it is.

[@tusharghanti1309]

This should be launched in India.. since it's SUV look is a good competition for Fortuner and Endeavour

[@lamboblair4671]

We have always had the Toyota Tarago but considering the Kia Carnival now, will need to get it modified to take an electric wheelchair.

[@khalequeshah6420]

I am a big KIA fan, and I was going to buy the new Carnival model. After watching this video, I am not interested anymore. For $71k KIA, you would expect to have all bell and whistles included. Wired Android play? Seriously? COVID is not an excuse, for not having Digital instrument display and not Australian tuned steering! Other features like Voice recognition, the cooled glove box is a must for a family people mover. Disappointing.

[@garethfields357]

Wish we could get it in the UK. Kia have missed a trick not selling it over here

[@aadi8568]

that is one really nice looking car.

[@chasingcars]

I think the new Carnival is a big visual improvement.

[@aadi8568]

@@chasingcars I agree, but unfortunately it isn't sold here, barely any large cars are sold here.

[@markward2824]

Woohooo! First comment 😉 I dunno, the higher end YP’s look pretty good still

[@chasingcars]

They do, but I think the KA4 is pretty bold - and works well.

[@Scott-cu4ol]

I was ready to order one until you informed us no AWD😞

[@patricklin6177]

It's sad that Toyota didn't bring the Sienna to Australia

[@chasingcars]

Agreed. The Sienna looks awesome!

[@iang6635]

Agreed. We had one in California as a hire car a few years ago and it was a great drive.

[@eamonnixon9571]

I like the 2020 one more

[@shujathsyed3340]

What is the realtime fuel economy for new diesel?

[@chasingcars]

7-8L/100km, more if you’ve got a full load

[@kristians2704]

Will you be reviewing the Toyota Venza?

[@chasingcars]

Sadly not, as Toyota don't sell the Venza in Australia and I don't think I will be able to get the US anytime soon.

[@Peter-vn8ue]

I think they should have delayed the launch so it could have had the Aussie Steering tune, the digital instrument cluster, and side cameras when changing lanes, I would expect all these features on the top-spec vehicle at that price point otherwise moving to the Sorento GT line all-wheel drive diesel might be the better option.

[@chasingcars]

I agree with that, Peter. Better to have the car fully ready to go - but with supply of the old Carnival totally dwindled, I guess Kia wanted to have a vehicle they could sell right now. Difficult balance.

[@sea1tie1]

Kia took their time with this, and it paid off.

[@amrsamir5718]

Wow, so good Looks like Chevrolet Suberban 🤔

[@Vendacious100]

Absence of the digital gauge display and local steering tune are both very disappointing. I’ve been waiting for this car a long time but now I’m tempted to wait longer rather than get the ‘COVID-19’, best we could do under the circumstances version. The Palisade is $10K more but comes with everything.

[@chasingcars]

Yes, it's a big shame. The difference in process is that Hyundai do all of their suspension/steering tuning here in NSW - so were not affected by a lockdown while completing local adjustment the Palisade, whereas Kia's suspension and steering team work out of Melbourne. Difficult position to be in.

[@haraldk6828]

What's up with having USB-A in 2021? It's pretty dumb to not have USB-C.

[@kodessa]

This is the G-wagen of people movers. It looks brutal in a subdued manner.

[@chasingcars]

That's quite a compliment, I think.

[@krzysztofcwik5347]

Please KIA bring Carnival to EU - as a hybrid or plug in versions.

[@BomberFletch31]

Styling wise, I'm not fond of the recent trend for boxy cars. It seems that most of Kia's new offerings are becoming more and more boxy, and I don't like it. In the people mover class, I prefer the Toyota Sienna, which quite frankly, is what Toyota should've brought to Australia instead of the Granvia or whatever it's called.

[@gene978]

Doesn’t Diesel Cost more per gallon (Liter) than Petroleum? (Gas)

[@chasingcars]

Diesel and petrol have switched cost positions constantly in Australia over the last 12 months.

[@user-cm3um7qk8u]

Compared with the cars sold in Korea, the equipment has been reduced a lot, but the price is still so expensive! Really embarrassing! The desired configuration, such as the second row of leg rests and space seats, drawer storage box, LCD instrument panel, automatic wipers, rear seat ventilation, etc. are not available. . . ! What a pity!

[@JN-ow4yc]

Chinese lol

[@persaud101]

Buying this!! Thank god kia made this.. Atleast I will look some one what cool lol..

[@chasingcars]

It’s definitely a big improvement visually

[@hishamnouri888]

I like Kia before in 2011 I had Kia optima but my main complaint was the AC if car stop its very hot specially if you are in Gulf the weather is so hot so the AC is big thing after that I change to Toyota camry now I like carnaval as I become family man and with kids I need more space they say that they change the AC to jaban Denso brand same as camry but still I am afraid of Kia so please if some one use new models of Kia and can till me about the AC I will be thankful

[@zaamuro8408]

Changing up the styling to be more SUV like is a genius move. No spare wheel?

[@tc88888888]

There is a spare

[@chasingcars]

Sorry, forgot to mention that there is a space saver spare.

[@ahmedhashim1939]

No digital gauge cluster which is disappointing for this new model. Otherwise the rest of the car looks good. The competition will possibly come from Honda's Odyssey and the Palisade (for those that want to avoid the people mover look).

[@chasingcars]

Agreed that the Palisade is probably this car's best and biggest rival. The Odyssey isn't nearly as sophisticated as the Carnival.

[@ahmedhashim1939]

@@chasingcars Thanks. Sorry not Honda, I meant Merc V200 series in base form. Overpriced & underdone.

[@melissadoherty4407]

Such a shame it doesn't have the full digital speedo etc, I was looking forward to buying this but seems they've skimped on a lot of features for Australia sadly, the reverse warning etc. Can you tell me do the first row of passenger seats recline?? Like advertised on you tube? I bet they don't. Yet they still want 70k for it. Now I'm leaning more towards the Land Rover discovery or Merc Gls, I wanted this for the space so badly. I also wanted the 9 seat variant which they apparently aren't bringing to Australia either. Makes me angry. 😫🤬

[@hellothere4342]

It's so hard to convince a family with 3+ children to buy this instead of a 7 seater SUV.

[@arangojuanp]

What 7 seat SUV would you be speaking of? The BMW X7?

[@hellothere4342]

@@arangojuanp they aren't that wealthy lol. They brought the new Sorrento. If I had more than 4 children I'd definitely be driving an MPV. More space and far less painful to get into the 3rd row. Oh and the power sliding doors. I love those.

[@darienmiller1032]

If minivan manufacturers started adding AWD to their minivans, and worked to make them tow as much as their crossovers, I feel as though that would be enough. But for whatever reason, they almost never address the disparity in the towing and availability of AWD.

[@hellothere4342]

@@darienmiller1032 that would certainly help. I'd buy it as long as the passenger area is easy to keep clean. The spawns can be incredibly messy. Also could be an image issue, SUV are seen as being trendy.

[@russelmurton1561]

Not getting the 12.3" gauge cluster is a big cop out by Kia Australia. Also the touch sensitive buttons is a bad idea, give me normal tactile buttons anyday. How do the second row seats fold/remove in this new model? How much is the cargo space in L when rows two and three are folded flat? I wish the sunroof was an option, don't need it taking up headroom. Has the towing capacity changed at all? Overall a big fan of the new look, especially with the side steps and the dark blue paint. Would look great in black with a detail, but hard to keep looking great in black. I suspect the previous MY15 to MY20 Carnivals will suffer a 5 to 10k drop in resale when this hits the market with it looking this good. If you buy a 7 seat SUV and don't tow more than a carnival can tow, then you are just silly IMO.

[@nabilm2941]

Toyota should bring the Sienna, Chrysler the Pacifica, and Honda the U.S. Odyssey from USA.

[@chasingcars]

Agreed -- not sure if they'd find too many buyers, though. The Carnival dominates this segment in Australia with only 3,000-6,000 sales annually. That's not that many cars!

[@MM-wt2oo]

Better than an suv

[@quynhngtu]

It's SUVan. Hihi

[@kampferpl7759]

Not a fan of the black rims.

[@chasingcars]

Neither. That trend has come and gone.

[@goodreroot]

I really want 7 seats like in korea not 8 seats

[@croydonq135]

It's probably a smarter proposition for people in metro areas but I cannot see the bitumen cowboys and cowgirls trading their name brand steed for a practical option. Great review.

[@chasingcars]

Lol, possibly not! I guess we'll see over the next few years.

[@eddesengo3245]

No AWD and Temporary Spare THESE are a must for wide-open AUSTRALIAN countryside cruising. I do no less than 40000kms per year - lucky me NO FLAT tyres but it will happen one day when cruising in the scorching heat to Roxby Downs and then I'm cooked roadside, temp tyres have limited speed and travel distance ....Then what ???...... Jump on the back of a Kangaroo !!!! all in all, with my comments, I need to upgrade and this looks like it's going to be my next buy, a SLI Diesel

[@thewoodmilladmin8789]

There is a Honda Airwave that looks just like this but a downsized version

[@marcelstanford430]

Is that climate control over the driver side sliding door really that crooked?

[@jlaureta3227]

I don't mind being your second. 😘

[@chasingcars]

Aw.

[@ABC-hi3fy]

Kia with the steering on the wrong side. They are really trying to be different.

[@Jjj-jl4pc]

It literally has the back of an suv.

[@minniesaab7255]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@carreviewsbyma7457]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmq6kn93rpinjsU👍🏻

[@Autumn-vibe]

Lack of AWD means most people will stick to SUV…

[@thegrayfamily5237]

No digital display, no wireless apple car play... why would anyone purchase this wouldn't they wait till the next model.

[@billybob1511]

Who deletes fridge white from their range...?? What about business who want to buy a white vehicle and put sign writing on it? Almost unbelievable...

[@cryptojihadi265]

Just give it AWD and you've got a machine nobody can touch!

[@chasingcars]

Seems like a huge missed opportunity not giving the Carnival optional AWD

[@ravingmad765]

What? It can't fit 1ltr water bottles in the doors? I simply can't buy this car.

[@chasingcars]

If you drive long distances in a vast country like Australia - which this car is quite capable of - it’s a problem. Rivals can do it, why can’t Kias and Hyundais?

[@tayspiderx]

Merc just call their fake leather artico... Kia can just do the same gimmick

[@chasingcars]

Suppose so. They call it premium material.