Kia Carnival GT-Line Lite 2024 review: snapshot

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.