Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Kia Carnival GT-Line Lite 2024 review: snapshot

Kia Kia Reviews Kia Carnival Kia Carnival Reviews Kia Carnival 2024 People Mover Best People Mover Cars Kia People Mover Range Family Car Family Cars Family Cars' 7 seater Car Reviews
...
EXPERT RATING
7.5

Likes

  • Space for everyone and everything 
  • Diesel donk perfectly matches the Carnival 
  • Improved safety across the range

Dislikes

  • Holds back safety for top-spec models
  • Diesel soundtrack a constant
  • Price rises everywhere 
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
24 May 2024
2 min read

The GT-Line Lite is the second-from-top variant in the Carnival range, sitting below only the flagship GT-Line.

As such, the GT-Line Lite ($66,350 petrol, $68,580 diesel) is fitted with bigger 19-inch alloy wheels, scores LED interior lighting, gets a dual-pane auto sunroof and some chrome embellishments on the exterior. The trade-off, though, is that the powered windows are now for the driver only, as is the powered front seat. It also gets the twin 12.3-inch screens taking care of multimedia and driving info duties.

The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.

But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.

Part of the change package for this update Carnival is in its safety kit, some of which simply wasn’t available when Kia launched its predecessor.

Which is why every model now gets a centre side airbag, Forward Collision Assist AEB, Rear Occupant Alert, Trailer Stability Assist and front parking sensors, joining the rear ones that were already there.

Sport+ Models and up now add a Blind Spot View Monitor and rain-sensing wipers, as well as rear AEB through the Parking Collision Avoidance function.

Also standard are Lane Keep Assist, with Lane Follow Assist, multi-collision braking, a speed-limit warning (which you will turn off) and a reversing camera.

Kia Carnival 2024: GT-Line Lite

Engine Type V6, 3.5L
Fuel Type
Fuel Efficiency 9.6L/100km (combined)
Seating 8
Price From $66,350
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$73,341
Price is based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the lowest priced Kia Carnival 2024 variant.
LOWEST PRICE
$47,480
HIGHEST PRICE
$76,210
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.

Comments