So much smarter than a SUV!! 2023 Kia Carnival Platinum review

This is the thinking person's family car.
The Kia Carnival is brilliant. It has space for up to 8 adults, with three rows of flexible seating and a huge boot area, too.
There's the choice of petrol V6 or turbo-diesel (sadly no hybrid yet), and it looks baller, too.
Kia calls it a GUV, or Grand Utility Vehicle, but it's a people mover, and that's totally okay! It has sliding side doors and a very practical cabin, and it doesn't have as many competitors as you might think.
So are there any reasons not to buy it? And is the Platinum the version to pick? Watch, and you'll find out!
--
00:00 Intro
00:26 Is it the right price?
02:29 What are the best alternatives?
03:29 Is it the right size?
05:17 Interior
09:26 Under the bonnet
10:21 Driving
12:28 Efficiency
13:18 Is it safe?
14:19 Ownership
14:55 Verdict
--
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#kia #carnival #review

[@gregturner_awod]

I work with foster children, and many of our Carers drive Kia Carnivals, ultra practical, comfy and very reliable. This new model looks superb. A great option for larger families or those that carry lots of people. An excellent review with good advice on what to buy. Great review, thanks!

[@therightcar]

Thanks Greg. And that’s really amazing work, so thank you for what you do!

[@johnvandeven2188]

Great car and review. Once upon a time it was the Honda Odyssey but no other manufacturer provides such a classy car for the price. It would appear that Kia and Hyundai have between them have covered most segments of the market. Quality and options are the equal of all Japanese made autos.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Glad you liked the review, and you’re right. Kia and Hyundai just need some utes and serious 4x4s…!

[@brettd5315]

We hired a diesel one late last year to go to a wedding outside Melbourne. Seriously impressive car. Used bugger all fuel and drives like a much smaller car. We were seriously considering how to make one into an around Australia vehicle!!

[@therightcar]

Great feedback. It would make a superb Aussie road trip car!

[@DOHC16vMPFI]

Had a rental 2022 2.2 diesel S trim for 8 days and I fully agree with both of you! A fantastic car. It had 1,629km on the clock when we picked it up, we returned the Carnival with 5,111km! It never missed a beat even with five people and lots of luggage!

[@sylviamolloy1]

So I’m a 16’ Pathfinder owner and it’s brilliant. We have a disabled daughter who is a wheelchair user. We had to send our vehicle back for repairs. We had a rental and we are getting around in a Kia Carnival 22’ model. My daughter has fallen in love with the rental. Says it is easier. I would go premium as music is life for us, we can’t get past Bose! It’s freakin amazing! The little extras are nice too. Pathfinder is an amazing vehicle to consider. We can fit an adult wheelchair with 3rd row up. Yeah we have to compact the wheelchair and take it apart but still a great car. Also same as Kia with its upgrades. The entertainment compared to its international Saudi model is quite sad. But we hope in time it will be brought in. I will say, I’ve been Petrol allllll the way. Driving this rental around and I’ve barely used any juice! Insane. Absolutely insane! Would seriously consider and recommend the Kia. Be interesting with facelift as I’ve heard next will be 2027. So we will see what 2024 models will bring. I agree with above comment of vehicles changing the vehicles face so often. I do recommend the pathfinder and happy they went back to standard box over CVT. Great review team.

[@therightcar]

Thanks! So happy you might have found The Right Car in the Kia Carnival. It’s great.

[@Mattb81]

Hired & drove one recently on a long trip. 5 people and a lot of luggage. Averaged 6.3L/100km. Went well. Rode well. Overall a good next car BUT the electronic safety crap is annoying and needs to all be turned off via fiddly menus every time you start the car.

[@iEnofadov]

I like the look of these! I like how Kia have been able to make it look more SUV than MPV or in Kia speak "GUV"! I like that it's so practical with so much storage, a huge rear boot and offers so many creature comfort options for all seating rows! It has decent power, though the petrol is a little on the thirsty side and just seems to be an all round family friendly vehicle. I have only one gripe with the Carnival and with some other Hyundia and Kia offerings, why does Hyundai and Kia keep insisting on putting the location of rear indicators low in the rear bumper?? The placement of rear indicators for the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Santa Fe are ridiculous. Also, hope you're feeling better Matt! By the sound of your voice, I thought he's either just getting over the flu or had a late one the night before! Haha!

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. It was a cold. All better now! And yes, the lower-light-bumper thing bewilders me too. It’s so hard to see what the person in front of you intends to do in traffic jams!!

[@froggy0162]

It’s because these are designed for the US market - that combines the brake lights with indicators. Basically the brake light flashes red as an indicator. So for markets that require an amber light for indicators, they tack them on as an afterthought.

[@iEnofadov]

@@froggy0162 I'm aware of that particular setup for some US spec vehicles, but with regards to this generation Kia Carnival, that's not the case. US spec Kia Carnivals have the same rear light/indicator set up as all other markets.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Great review Matt well done. I just have one issue, who thought it would be good to place the indicators so low down on the rear bumper. Quite hard to see if your in a high riding SUV.

[@therightcar]

Yep, thank you mate - it’s a common thing on Kia and Hyundai models. It shits me!!

[@TheAhlulbayt1]

Dose it come with inbuilt footsteps?

[@elias4392]

Hey champ, great video! I dont think the SLi has the sunroof? I'm from Syd Australia.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Yeah, did I say it does? It doesn't!

[@mattb3381]

Having driven both do you think the Palisade is worth the extra price tag for the tops specs? Can't decide between the Carnival or Palisade. Also thanks for the reviews they are great!

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. My advice - if you plan to use the third row all the time, or at least often (like, more than once a month) then get a Carnival. It’ll make your life better.

[@mattb3381]

@@therightcar Thanks! You mentioned the 2024 facelift? Do you have more information and confirmation on what is coming to Australia? Or know when we will likely see it

[@v36nismo]

how reliable will the diesel model be for soccer mum duties? We rarely do long highway trips just short local drives like school drop offs and shopping centre trips.

[@therightcar]

I'd recommend a petrol, then. Probably going to be better for the life of the car, in terms of diesel particulate issues. Petrol might cost a little more in daily running, but if you're not concerned about forking out a little more often at the servo, it could suit your needs.

[@lynarystic]

Yea the lack of 360 camera on entry level was a deal breaker for me. Hoping it comes standard in future models. I'm not keen on leather seats of the mid range.

[@therightcar]

It seems an oversight for a big family wagon, hey?

[@brakgosi6271]

Love it. Just confused about whether I'd buy it over the Palisade. I reckon the Palisade might have better resale value, especially here in SA because SUVs are so popular here and the Palisade third row is more usable than body on frame SUVs.

[@therightcar]

Same story here mate. But I think the Carnival is better if you want to use the third row all the time. Sliding doors for the win in carparks, too!!

[@mattb3381]

This is exactly what I am going through myself, Carnival vs Palisade, I love the SUV feel better and specially that the Palisade has more tech (Digital dash, side cameras when blinkers on etc). But the Carnival is much cheaper and more practical in size.

[@mindfreeze0838]

If you need something practical, get the Carnival, the Palisade is more about status than practicality. You could also get a Ertiga or wait on the Invicto to reach the market.

[@renayekentish5639]

Any idea if they’re doing the facelift for 2024?

[@therightcar]

I would say it’s a better than 99% chance of being here before the end of 2024.

[@chenroger3399]

All the manufactures making money on top range, think about cars been assembled on the production line, the base model and the top range are moving the same speed, but the top range is more expensive than the base model, so if you want spend extra dollars on those fetures, that's perfect. But cars are just cars, they are all rated 5 stars on safety, what is your requirement is important. Matt's car review is giving you the ideas on how are the cars fit your requirement before you enter the dealship and will save you a lot of time.

[@therightcar]

Thanks!

[@TheHayabusa09]

It's astounding that in 2023, KIA charges you a minimum $58k to the get push-button start function...which is a common feature on 90% of (much cheaper vehicles)..My 3rd car was a 2008 Honda Civic Sport and it has said feature.

[@therightcar]

Yep. Key is old!!

[@brakgosi6271]

Yes unfortunately Kia & Hyundai sometimes copy the German carmakers in making basic equipment "optional". They force you to fork out thousands more for something that would cost them just a few bucks.

[@haydendostine3140]

The base model has a lot of safety features that other makes don't offer until mid range. Guess it comes down to what people consider important for entry level

[@mindfreeze0838]

I can tell you that even though alot of cars come with it as standard these days(especially Chineese cars) its expensive to put in over a remote key setup. But yeah alot of brands charge more for it than its worth Kia included.

[@yonyon8670]

From family VAN with new SUV looks

[@therightcar]

You like it?

[@dan-pe5gz]

The carnival sli doesnt come with some if the things you mentioned only the se and platinum do

[@therightcar]

Depends where you live mate. I mentioned Aussie specs.

[@dan-pe5gz]

That is aussie spec sli doesnt have sun roof

[@kelvpoon]

Feeling under the weather ~

[@therightcar]

I was. Better now!!

[@wedantasatrya9458]

In Indonesia we have this in a 11 seat option

[@therightcar]

That’s a lot of seats!

[@mindfreeze0838]

Same with Staria.

[@life_in_gen]

Is the term "people mover" unattractive in a car? Well its not a sports cart but you are buying it for a purpose. Kinda feels like people mover=negative. To me this car is only one car Id be buying, as the legroom on the third row is pretty decent compare to others! ty for the review.

[@therightcar]

In Australia it’s a dirty word. That’s why Kia called the Carnival a “GUV” (Grand Utility Vehicle” in its ad campaign.

[@mindfreeze0838]

Its a pity in the market if you need a people mover you have to go with an Expensive Carnival or a super expensive Palisade. Its a pity we dont get cars like the Suzuki XL7, Hyundai Stargazer or Mitsibishi Xpander Cross. Still if you have 3 or more kids, dont lie to yourself, this is the car you need, just accept it, your life will be easier than if you try to cram them in a Palisade or Everest. Case in point, you can put a child seat in the third row, you get that in luxury German options. Still my main issue with this car is who makes it. Kia/Hyundai facelift their cars like every year now like phones as this barely came out 2 years ago and there is a facelift being tested in Korea.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for your thoughts. The reason those brands won’t sell those models here is safety. They won’t get five stars - not made to do so. And that’s a decision-driver for many family buyers. I went to Indonesia recently and was soooo keen to drive any and all of those, and Mitsubishi is apparently looking at Xpander… so maybe we could see something like that. There’s always a VW Caddy Maxi.

[@mindfreeze0838]

@@therightcar yeah i know, even though both the Suzuki and Mitsubishi get side impact door beams, they only get 2 airbags. In order for both those cars to get 6 airbags they need to re-engineer the platform. Its a shame because they drive great,are very practical and dont cost anywhere near a Carnival. Both those cars got recent updates so i dont know if they are going to sink more R&D into them, but we'll see. Also the Caddy, thats a bridge too far.

[@351tgv]

Don't care about tis vehicle, um ok I guess its great for family's or Uber drivers who need bigger vehicles or the rental market. Just wanted to say well done on getting 10,000 subs Matt, keep up the great content.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate! Appreciate that.

[@chriswu3176]

I just ordered on platinum dielse and the wait started

[@therightcar]

Did they give you an idea of how long?

[@chriswu3176]

@@therightcar bout 1 year. But I run my own car finance busienss and seen so many of those wait times being unrealistic haha so yeah just wait then. Not really in a rush as I’m hoping to get the facelift version lol. I see lot of the low to mid spec stocks being readily available to hopefully the platium will get better soon lol

[@chriswu3176]

And I just rented one in New Zealand for 2 weeks and that literally sold this thing to me. Not really any comparable cars in the segment in australia really. Staria is van based and the Japanese are really expensive so yeah Kia is the go.

[@mindfreeze0838]

@@chriswu3176 damn thats a long time, dont know if thats wise though. You will cop the difference on the facelift as well as it will cost more with the digital dash and all that. You say you can wait and thats great but a year is a long time, just saying.

[@nugrohofamily1509]

How you can buy that many car just for review?

[@therightcar]

I don’t buy the cars - the brands offer them to me for a loan to do a review.

[@mnj640]

How about a review on the ford transit custom?

[@therightcar]

Coming early next year - the new-gen model is launching then.

[@applesauceawesome]

Shadow Box? I THINK YOU MEAN COFFIN, MATT. LETS BE REAL. I WOULD FEEL LIKE A COFFIN WOULD BE A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO DRIVING A PEOPLE MOVER. I COMMENT FOR THE ALMIGHTY ALGORITHM

[@therightcar]

Ha! Thanks.

[@s0516122]

Other people movers: The Lexus LM, when it comes out, and the Toyota Alphard, a JDM people mover.

[@therightcar]

Yeah true. But a good Vellfire or Alphard fetches $100k. LM will be that or more, easily.

[@dxelson]

Thats a MPV lmao

[@therattrap1997]

"much smarter than a SUV!!".... he doesnt say that is SUV lmao... read a title properly

[@dxelson]

@@therattrap1997 yes, my bad

[@N-SOJU]

over priced and dated for whats about to offer in the market.. Mifa etc..

[@therightcar]

You know the Mifa is NOT cheap, right?

[@N-SOJU]

Believe the specs and materials finishing and seats are at higher quality with the Mifa