Kia Grand Carnival News

Kia unveiled concept versions of the Grand Carnival and Soul at this week's SEMA show.Most SEMA show cars are modified to go faster, but Kia has taken a marginally different approach with its 2014 concepts. Hyundai's efforts include a Genesis coupe that wouldn't look out of place in the Bathurst 12 Hour race, but Kia has unveiled a pub on wheels, an ice cream truck and a mobile garage based on the practical Grand Carnival and Soul models.Ballast Point SedonaThis Sedona has been transformed from a people carrier to a beer carrier. In our corner of the world, the Sedona is better known as the Grand Carnival, the third-generation of which is due to hit our shores next year.Featuring a redesigned, reinforced, heavy duty roof, plenty of mahogany and storage for up to four kegs of delicious craft beer, the Ballast Point Sedona (Grand Carnival) would be the perfect vehicle to have on the hill at Sydney Motorsport Park while you lap up a sunny afternoon of racing action.The only downside with the mobile pub is that the designated driver is the only one getting home, naturally all the passenger seats have been removed to maximise beer storage space.Smitten Ice Cream Soul EVNeed something to compliment the beer? How about nitrogen-chilled ice cream served from the back of an electric car?While nitrous-oxide is used to fuel high-performance cars, removing the oxygen from the equation means you can use nitrogen to fuel tasty treats.Much like the Ballast Point pub on wheels, the rear section of the all electric Soul has been gutted to make room for the ice cream equipment and storage space.It also has a custom trailer, which is joined to the tailgate of the Soul to make a bench from which the -196 degrees Celsius ice cream can be served.The Smitten Soul also has the traditional waffle-cone speakers on the roof so you can play Greensleeves, or something a bit more contemporary.Ultimate Karting SedonaIf all this sitting around watching racing and indulging in beer and ice cream has you feeling the need for speed, the Ultimate Karting Sedona concept car is what you need.Simply hitch the go-kart trailer, throw another go-kart on the roof, grab a mate and head off to the nearest track.The two of you will have all you need for a day of racing, with the back of the Sedona (Grand Carnival) transformed into a garage complete with tools, race gear and checkerboard rubber floor.You don't even need to bring a marquee, as the custom roof racks contain an awning to keep the sun and rain away while you prepare your machinery for the on-track battle.High-Performance K900The K900 (or Quoris as it's known in some parts) is Kia's equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis, and a car that isn't sold here. It's a bit of a shame, because this high-performance concept - developed by Kia racing drivers Mark Wilkins and Nic Jönsson - looks a bit swish.The 5.0-litre V8 engine has had twin turbochargers added underneath the boot (yup, underneath the boot. It helps reduce heat, they say) to bump the power output from 313kW to 485.The lowered sports suspension, 21-inch gloss black alloys and bright red brake callipers give the K900 a sleek, sporty look.Inside there are tan leather seats with black suede accents and 11-inch seatback monitors for the rear passengers that show footage from iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. Which is grand if videos of motor racing video games are your thing.In the boot, along with a viewing porthole so you can see the turbochargers, are custom compartments to store your racing gear, presumably if you've run out of space in the Ultimate Karting Sedona.Pirelli World Challenge GTS OptimaSo why the focus on motorsport? Well, Kia are celebrating winning the manufacturer championship for the GTS class of the Pirelli World Challenge in the US this year.And joining the concept cars on display at the SEMA show is the No.30 GTS Optima that was driven by Mark Wilkins throughout the season, finishing third in the drivers' standings.Being a production series, the GTS Optima features the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the road-going Optimas available in the US. In Australia, the Optima only comes with the 148kW/250Nm naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.However the front-wheel drive Optima has been tuned so it produces 274kW, which is 126kW more than the Australian road-going models.The six-speed sequential transmission helps the 1300kg GTS Optima hit a top speed of 260km/h.

Kia's announcement of an Australian-first seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty could benefit buyers of others brands as they try to match it.One of Australia's fastest growing car brands, Korean company Kia, is about to upset its big name rivals by announcing a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, the longest in Australian automotive history. Kia’s sister brand Hyundai was the first company to offer a five-year, 130,000km warranty in Australia 15 years ago -- in 1999 -- as a response to quality concerns over a bungled safety recall the year before.Hyundai then increased its warranty coverage to five years and unlimited kilometres in 2006.RELATED: Small car price war about to heat upFrench car maker Citroen then raised the bar in March this year, offering new-car buyers an unprecedented six-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.Kia's new benchmark of a seven year, unlimited kilometre warranty will put the market leaders under increasing pressure given brands such as Toyota, Holden, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Subaru, Honda, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz only offer three years coverage. It means buyers of most mainstream brands will eventually be the winners as they try to raise their level of warranty coverage to either match or get closer to Kia's seven-year stretch. But none are yet to react.The longer warranty period will likely boost the resale value of Kia cars at trade-in time because used-car buyers will get the balance of the new-car warranty.Most new cars are sold after four years, according to industry figures. This means a typical secondhand Kia would give used car buyers three years of factory-backed protection against faults.The Kia warranty is part of the company's ambitious sales push in Australia after a decade of weak results.Kia is just outside the top 10 sellers but its sister brand Hyundai -- which sells, in effect, the same cars under the skin but with different body styles and different branding -- is in the top four.It is the largest gap between the two jointly owned companies in the world.Kia recently poached Hyundai Australia's sales and marketing boss Damien Meredith to head the Kia division locally and this is his first step towards doubling sales within four years."This is a watershed moment," said Mr Meredith. "Kia customers now have a peace of mind that can't be matched in the Australian new car market."The deal includes free roadside assistance for seven years -- if the car is serviced at a Kia dealer once a year.Kia has also extended its capped price servicing program to seven years -- one of the longest in the car business -- and that prices of routine maintenance will remain the same as before."The two year increase in warranty, capped-price servicing and roadside assist is absolutely transparent and we will not be asking our customers to dip into their pockets to fund the extra benefits," said Mr Meredith.

ONE of Holden's top selling family cars has unwittingly been disadvantaged by special conditions in the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea that were intended to help the struggling company -- in effect adding up $1500 to the cost of one of its most popular vehicles.Under the proposal, the removal of the 5 per cent import tariff will initially not apply to vehicles with six-cylinder engines -- a move the Federal Government says is designed to protect local car makers as they wind-down their manufacturing facilities.But Holden is the biggest importer of V6 cars from South Korea. Last year Holden sold more than 10,000 V6-powered Captiva SUVs and it was the company's third-biggest selling model behind the locally-made Commodore and Cruze.The policy faux-pas is likely to hurt Holden more than the South Korean brands. Hyundai no longer imports a V6 car and its sister company Kia sells only a small number of V6 versions of its Sorento SUV and Carnival people mover.The Captiva V6 typically sells for between $30,000 and $40,000 and the 5 per cent import tariff added to the wholesale cost of the car is estimated to be up to $1500 on dearer models.Despite the unexpected setback Holden insists it is happy with the Free Trade Agreement; seven of its 11 vehicles come from South Korea and two of the 11 come from Thailand, which has had a Free Trade Agreement with Australia since 2010.A statement from Holden said: "Holden imports several car models and various parts from (South) Korea and exports engines from our Port Melbourne plant. While we have only just started analysing the details of the FTA, our first look suggests it will be good for our business."While the removal of the 5 per cent import tariff on cars from South Korea is expected to start from next year, six-cylinder and V8 cars will be excluded from the free trade deal for a further three years until Toyota, Holden and Ford shut their Australian factories.All three local manufacturers currently produce six-cylinder cars, although Toyota, Ford and Holden also produce four-cylinder vehicles and Ford and Holden also produce V8s. However, the exemption of V8 vehicles in the Free Trade Agreement is unusual given that there are no V8 cars made in South Korea for right-hand-drive markets such as Australia.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

Honda is banking on a taller body, seating for eight and a swag of new features to boost its new fifth-generation Odyssey people mover closer to the top of the Australian people mover segment.Honda Australia director Stephen Collins expects the more van-like model to be “right up top of the shopping list in this segement,” despite price increases of $3,890-$4700 across the two-grade lineup. Helping to justify the price rise is the availability of an eight seat layout for the first time and new features like powered sliding rear doors, a 7-inch multimedia screen, auto parking function, a 360 degree camera, blind-spot and cross traffic alerts and LED headlights.The new model rides on a marginally 30mm longer footprint with 70mm added to the wheelbase, but the packaging improvements are gained mainly from a significant 150mm increase in overall height. With sales expectations of a 160 unit monthly average, a 1920 unit annual figure would nearly double the 1001 examples of the fourth-generation Odyssey Honda sold in 2013.This would still be some way off the 2847 examples Kia sold of the segment-leading Grand Carnival in 2013, but sales of this model are likely to taper with an all-new version due toward the end of the year. Honda’s projection should topple the ageing and commercial-based Hyundai iMax that sold 1455 units last year, and comfortably retain its lead over the once-dominant Toyota Tarago that sold 960 units in 2013.Honda claims the Odyssey is most likely to be cross-shopped against seven-seat SUV’s like the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger, but their respective 12,668 and 4184 unit 2013 sales results are not likely to be significantly dented by the new Odyssey. Toyota’s Kluger is being replaced by an all-new model next month, but replacements for the ageing Tarago, iMax and the CX-9 SUV are still some time away, so the Odyssey’s new kid on the block status is likely to last at least until the new Grand Carnival arrives.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

Hyundai invented drive-away pricing in Australia and today it's bigger than ever. The Korean company knew it needed something special to get shoppers to sign on the dotted line back in the mid-1990s, and that something was a $990 bottom line across its models with an all-in selling price that removed the fear and uncertainty from buying a new car.Driveaway dealing started as showroom bait for the baby Excel and a new generation of first-time shoppers looking for a bargain at $13,990, in an inspired move by firebrand Hyundai executive Simon Pinnock, and has spread like a virus throughout the Australian motoring landscape since then.Lots of companies now use a driveaway deal to clear their superseded stocks, or re-ignite interest in a fading favourite, or just put some punch into their showroom push. It works, and it usually works well.Right now, Kia is heavily into driveaway dealing as its shifts from 2013 to 2014 models and is even applying the all-in effort - which can save up to $2000 in on-road costs and dealer delivery at a non-luxury brand - to its new-year arrivals. You can get a Rio manual hatch for $15,990 driveaway, compared with a recommended retail sticker at $16,290 before on-roads, and the latest deals even run up to the Carnival people mover and top-end Sorento SUV.Over at Hyundai there is a similar push, not just because of the competition from Kia but because Korea's biggest carmaker intends to be a top-three success in Australia within five years. It knows that driveaway dealing gets people into showrooms and starts its efforts at the very bottom - the i20 is now $13,990 on the road - to try and create loyal buyers who gradually move up through the range.Hyundai and Kia could be accused of racing to the bottom on the price line, but Nissan is doing even sharper deals at $18,990 on-the-road as it looks to turn its all-new Pulsar models into the biggest showroom success of the year. The cars are already locked and loaded, and being rolled onto ships in Japan every month, with the driveaway deals in Australia planned to ensure they go straight to homes without spending any wasted time parked in a dealership.We're also seeing deals with the 'drive away, no more to pay' kicker line being pushed by everyone from Holden and Ford to Subaru and Toyota, even if they are short-lived or wrapped in a different package. But that's not the end of the dollar deals, as cheap finance - down to zero at some brands - is making a bigger impact.Finance deals are partly about winning customers, but also to do it in a way that does not influence the vital resale value on a car. That's because the second hand price is determined by the 'transaction price' - the dollar number as the car is actually retailed, not the showroom sticker - and that can be badly affected by heavy discounting and even driveaway pricing. Price: from $13,990 driveawayEngine: 1.4L four-cylinder, 73.5kW/136NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or 4 speed auto, FWDThirst: 5.3L/100km   Price: from $18,990 driveawayEngine: 1.8L four-cylinder, 110kW/178NmTransmission: 6-speed manual/auto, FWDThirst: 6.6L/100km   Price: from $18,990 driveawayEngine: 1.8L four-cylinder, 96kW/174NmTransmission: 6-speed manual/CVT auto, FWDThirst: 6.7L/100km   

Just a brief look into any junior sports club shows fewer people now do more to keep such clubs and teams afloat.

Research reveals the shocking fact that more than six out of 10 young people admit to riding in overcrowded cars.One in seven even admitted they had ridden in a car boot.The NRMA Insurance survey, conducted by Woolcott, also shows that almost a third of 16-24 year olds had travelled with a driver who they believed was over the legal blood alcohol limit.NRMA Insurance state manager Brett Robinson said; these figures should encourage parents to drive their children to schoolies week celebrations to reduce the risk of over-crowding and driver distractions."A lot of young people will be testing their new-found freedom this weekend, starting with road trips to schoolies celebrations with their friends," he said.Susan Hawkins is taking her company's advice to heart.The NRMA Insurance corporate affairs manager got together with parents of her daughter's friends and worked out a car pooling arrangement to transport them to Schoolies Week."Our biggest fear for our kids was not what goes on at Schoolies Week, but the trip there and back," Hawkins said."So I'm driving the six down to Brooms Head in the Kia Grand Carnival which seats eight so no one has to sit on the floor, and another lot of parents is driving them back."Her daughter, Samantaha Convey, 16, said she had wanted to go with a friend."I guess I was a little bit frustrated and annoyed when mum told me she was going to take us, but I can see her point of view about safety," she said."Some kids have only just got their licences."The survey also found that one in five young people confessed they had driven while intoxicated, eight out of 10 admitted to driving above the speed limit, nearly three out of 10 had travelled in a car with an unlicensed or disqualified driver and more than six out of 10 admitted to driving an overcrowded car.Car crashes are the leading cause of death among Australians aged 16-25 years.NRMA Insurance is also funding a special Defensive Driving Course this weekend (November 24) at the Mt Cotton Training Centre.Sixteen young drivers, aged 18-25 years, will participate with eight from the Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association and eight from smash repair shops- those who are young smash repair apprentices.Local police will also be involved on the day.The young drivers will spend a whole day covering theory and practical on-road exercises, which focus on:• Attitudes and behaviour on the road - special focus on road rage.• Defensive driving techniques - vehicle control, following distance and driver fatigue.• Driving risks - in-car distractions like mobile phones, i-pods and other passengers.Funding for the course comes from NRMA Insurance's Community Help Grants program, which offers grants of up to $5000 to community groups and local organisations who are pro-active in the areas of crime prevention, injury prevention, emergency services and the environment.NRMA Insurance hopes to address the over-representation of young drivers in road crashes and believed it relevant to run the course at this time of year, keeping safety front of mind for new drivers on our roads, especially around schoolies celebrations.According to Queensland Transport, young drivers aged 17-24 are twice as likely to be involved in fatal crashes than drivers aged between 25-29. And, while young drivers make up only 13 per cent of motorists on Queensland roads, they comprise around 35 per cent of the road toll. Schoolie drive tips Safety tips for young people who are driving to schoolies celebrations;• Don't drink.• Make sure your friends are all wearing seat belts and never overcrowd the car.• Follow the new peer passenger rules if you are a P1 driver on the road 11pm-5am.• Never allow anyone to ride in the boot.If you are a passenger;• Speak up if you feel unsafe.• Have a back-up plan to get home if you believe the driver has consumed drugs or alcohol.  

Little wonder, then, that Kia's Carnival, at $29,990, has proved to be such a hit: it offers considerable value for money for anyone willing to make a few sacrifices to save$10,000.Kia is now taking aim at a slightly more affluent sector of the market with its new, more powerful and larger Grand Carnival, priced from $36,990.The Korean giant plans to sell both the old, sub-$30,000 Carnival and the new model side by side for the foreseeable future as it attempts to increase its market share.The people-mover segment is fast becoming one of the most competitive in the vehicle industry, and makers have even tried to sex up their image.Most successful has been Honda's new-generation Odyssey, which is far more car-like in both appearance and dynamics than its predecessor.Ford has come up with a winner by offering soft-roaders such as the Territory with an optional third row of seats.With a bewildering array of choices in the market, Sunday CARSguide looks at five vehicles for the masses. Chrysler VoyagerPRICE: $55,990 to $71,990GOOD: Space, and lots of it. The 3.3-litre V6 offers a handy 128kW of power. The Stow 'n' Go option allows you a wide variety of seating and cargo options, and sliding rear doors make for easy access.BAD: All that interior space makes for a very big exterior. The Voyager feels a lot like a delivery van, and has an interior reminiscent of the early 1990s. When behind the wheel, you can't help feeling you're heading off to the local Dunkin' Donuts shop somewhere in middle America.VERDICT: This is one for the "size really matters" crowd. Extra size and power can't prevent the Voyager feeling distinctly old-school. It's also expensive. Speaking of old school, did I mention the column shift? Mitsubishi GrandisPrice: From $39,990GOOD: The Grandis has excellent interior space. functionality and style. Its tip-and-tilt seating system is one of the easiest and most useful around. Priced from $39,990, it also offers reasonable value for money.BAD: The somewhat aggressive exterior styling may not be to everyone's liking. Its height means it can't quite match the Honda Odyssey for on-road dynamics and feel.The 2.4-litre four puts out 121kW and has to work hard with a full load. Some dashboard controls are fiddly and set too far away.VERDICT: If you don't mind the looks, you should definitely test-drive the Grandis; it's a genuine rival to the Odyssey, and at a competitive price. Honda OdysseyPrice: $38,790 to $45,290GOOD: The most car-like MPV, the Odyssey has great on-road dynamics. Its interior and exterior build quality is superb.BAD: The Honda is not alone among modern cars in having the emergency brake on the floor, but it's an annoyance — even if it does allow extra space for the centre console. The test Odyssey had an acute case of reflected glare on the dashboard.VERDICT: A quality product that is quite rightly considered the leader in the people-mover stakes. The Odyssey's 2.4-litre, in-line four makes the most of its 118kW and is reasonably frugal, but fitting the 140kW engine from the outstanding Accord Euro would make things even better. The rear seats are best suited to pre-teens. Ford TerritoryPrice: $39,490 to $56,320GOOD: The new ZF six-speed transmission fitted in the AWD version of the Territory is a huge leap forward for Ford. Its AWD system is one of the best, and the Territory proved sure-footed during a three-hour trip along the freeway from Sydney to Newcastle in a torrential downpour.The Territory can go places the other four in this comparison can't,, but it's not a fair dinkum off-roader.BAD: The six-speed tranny and AWD are expensive options, as is the third row of seats.The four-litre, six-cylinder motor delivers a healthy 190kW, but driven with enthusiasm, it gulps down considerably more juice than Ford's claimed 12.2 litres per 100km for the RWD and 12.8 for the AWD.Again, the third row of seats is strictly for pre-teens. Interior fit and finish are good by local standards, but can't match the Japanese.VERDICT: Most versatile of the five, but you pay handsomely for AWD anda six-speed gearbox. Though not the best vehicle for transporting seven people, the Territory wins points for its across-the-board potential and would suit a family of four or five who need two extra seats on occasion. Kia Grand CarnivalPrice: From $36,990GOOD: It's obvious why the base-model Kia, at $29,000, is Australia's best-selling people mover. For $7000 more, you can now get what is effectively a completely different vehicle.Interior and exterior remain bland, although the Grand Carnival wins points for the functionality of its eight seats. An enormous rear luggage space is achieved by placing the spare wheel under the centre of the vehicle. The sliding rear doors are generally easier to access than those on the Odyssey, the Grandis or the Territory.A big improvement is the new 3.8-litre V6, which increases power from 132kW to 184 and torque from 220Nm to 343.BAD: Engine problems with the earlier base model dented the Kia's reputation and hurt re-sale values. This will have flow-on effects to the Grand Carnival, despite it being a different vehicle.It's still clearly built to a price, with dynamics and general feel below that of the other vehicles in this test; in particular, the steering felt indirect. The new engine has loads more power, but you pay at the bowser, with Kia claiming a best-scenario fuel consumption of 12.8 litres/100km. Like the Odyssey, the Kia has a foot emergency brake.VERDICT: Money talks, and the Grand Carnival is a bargain buy that will garner healthy sales. The Odyssey and Grandis are better vehicles overall, but the Kia scores points for size and power. The winner ...HONDA'S Odyssey remains the one to beat. Although the Grandis runs a close second, the Odyssey outsells it by almost six to one. The Territory is a genuine option if you want to get a little way off the beaten track. The Grand Carnival is good value despite the price increase, and the Voyager is for those who really value their personal space.Most prices quoted in this story exclude dealer delivery and statutory prices