Helping to boost headroom and reinforcing the Carnival’s car-like feel are lower seat heights, and the functionality of the removable centre seat in the second row has been expanded. 

It can now be slid all the way forward to enable easier access to a child seat from the front, or reversed so a parent can face a child seat in either of the other second row positions. It could also be used to face those in the third row, but has not been homologated for mounting a child seat on itself in this rear-facing configuration, even though it’s technically possible. This centre seat still doubles as a table with cupholders when folded, but no longer has wheels for making it easier to move around when in storage.

The second row of seats still slide and recline three ways, so considering the removable centre section there’s three ways to access the third row, all of which are miles easier than any SUV.

One big step over the previous Carnival is that five out of the six seats now have ISOFIX and top tether child seat mounts, so you can now carry five child seats fitted as safely as possible. Previously, there were only three ISOFIX and four top tether points spread across both rows. Now, only the centre third row seat is without a child seat mount, but it is likely too narrow for this to be possible anyway.

The third row is still one of the best in the business, with good room for two adults for long journeys, and while it is a bit narrower than the second row, most adults wouldn’t mind sitting three across for short journeys. Older kids no longer in child seats will be no problem though.

On the inside, the new Carnival continues Kia’s trend of pretty snazzy looking interiors, while still using sturdy materials for withstanding family use. 

One particularly nice detail in the Platinum is the 3D ambient lighting in the doors, but even the base S gets great colour and texture variety. 

All bar the base S get the nice and big 12.3 inch multimedia screen, where the S gets a still-decent 8-inch unit. But remember, only the smaller screen comes with wireless Android Auto and CarPlay. The rest need a USB cable.

You can pick the base S trim level by its 17-inch alloys, which means no more hubcaps and steel wheels for the base Carnival as we’ve seen in the past.

Its equipment highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (yes, wireless) through an 8-inch multimedia screen, rear parking sensors, roof rails and all the most important safety features, which I’ll cover in detail under Safety. 

Note the S comes with a cast plastic steering wheel though, which is a bit cheap in a car of this price level.

The Si steps up to 18-inch alloys, plus a big 12.3 inch multimedia screen that only offers corded Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but adds eight-speaker audio, three-zone climate control, an artificial leather steering wheel and front parking sensors. 

The SLi has the same alloys as the Si, but scores artificial leather seat trim, tinted rear windows, proximity keys, power sliding doors and tailgate, 360-degree cameras and a few other minor details. 

The top of the range Platinum gets a whole new grille and black 19-inch alloys, wireless phone charger, 12-speaker Bose audio, twin electric sunroofs, heated steering wheel and first two rows of seats, ventilated front seats, memory adjustable front seats, retractable window blinds for the second and third row of seats and a rotary gear selector.

Kia doesn't make any claims regarding the Carnival's 0-100km/h acceleration or top speed, but the power output split between the petrol and the diesel engine, combined with all models weighing just under 2140kg gives a good indication of their relative performance. The 216kW petrol engine's extra 68kW over the 148kW diesel places it well ahead in terms of performance, and you can boast to your friends that your petrol Carnival has one more kilowatt than a VS HSV GTS. The HSV is around 500kg lighter, however.