2015 Kia Carnival | new car sales price

New Kia Carnival eight-seater brings fresh styling, improved packaging, safety and features.

Kia's all-new third-generation Carnival people-mover has touched down in Australia this week, with significantly improved features, comfort, safety and styling matched by price increases of up to $5000.

Designed at Kia's California design studio, the new Carnival is the final Kia model to get the full Peter Schreyer styling treatment. Despite appearing larger, the new model is 15mm shorter in length and 55mm lower in height, but a 40mm longer wheelbase and smarter packaging has boosted occupant legroom and cargo space.

With the third-row seating in place, the cargo area totals 960-litres (up 77-litres), which grows to 2220-litres with the rear seats stowed away and a whopping 4022-litres with all rear chairs folded.

Unlike its predecessor, the new Carnival is exclusively available as an eight-seater from launch, and therefore drops the 'Grand' from its name.

This latest model is also significantly safer than the one it replaces, boasting a 74 per cent increase in torsional rigidity thanks to greater use of ultra-high tensile steel. 

Standard safety features across the range include, six airbags, stability control encompassing ABS and traction control and reverse camera with rear parking sensors.

Range-topping Platinum variants score active cruise control, front parking sensors (also fitted to the SLi), forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, auto high-beams and rear cross-traffic alert.

However, like its Honda Odyssey, Toyota Tarago and Citroen Grand C4 Picasso immediate rivals, the Carnival is not available with an auto emergency braking function (AEB).

Initially, the new Carnival will only be eligible for a four-star ANCAP safety rating as it isn't fitted with second-row seatbelt reminders. Kia Australia expects that cars built from June onwards will be fitted with the safety device and will therefore qualify for a maximum five-star rating. 

Four different trim levels will be offered on the new Carnival, with a choice of either a 206kW/336Nm 3.3-litre petrol V6 or 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel - both equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

The diesel carries a $2500 price premium over petrol models but its 7.7L/100km combined fuel consumption figure significantly trumps the 11.6L/100km of the petrol. 

The range starts at $41,490 for the S, representing a $2000 increase over the outgoing entry-level model. 

The S is equipped with three-zone air-con, six-speaker audio system with 4.3-inch multimedia display, six-way adjustable driver's seat, stain, odour and static-resistant cloth upholstery and 17-inch steel wheels with hubcaps.

Stepping up to the $45,490 (up $4000) Si adds an 8-inch multimedia screen with satnav with SUNA real-time traffic updates, DVD player, 3.5-inch driver instrument display, electric folding door mirrors, LED taillights and 17-inch alloys.

The $49,990 (up $3000) SLi adds front parking sensors, proximity keys with push button start, leather upholstery, hands-free automatic tailgate which opens when the key is sensed near the tailgate, eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, power sliding rear doors, cooled glove box, chrome grille and window surrounds and 18-inch alloys.

On top of the SLi's features, the $57,490 range-topping Platinum model (up $5000) scores HID headlights, auto high-beam assist, eight-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats, 7-inch colour driver instrument display, heated first and second row seating, the afformentioned additional collision-mitigation features, a more aggressive mesh grille and 19-inch chrome-finish alloys.

The new Kia Carnival is on sale now, covered by Kia's industry-leading seven year unlimited kilometre warranty.