Kia is launching the new Carnival in Australia, five months after the official unveiling in Korea.
Based on the brand’s mid-size platform,
which is shared with the latest Sorento, the 2021 Carnival is 40 mm longer than its predecessor and has a 30 mm extended wheelbase for a
more spacious interior.
Depending on the market, the Carnival is
offered with three or four rows of seats, offering space for seven, eight or
even eleven occupants. In seven-seat configuration, it has 2,905 liters of cargo area. Some of the amenities inside include a touchscreen
infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, each one with a 12.3-inch
display, smartphone integration, weather forecasts, live traffic info and
others.
Australians will be able to choose between
two engines, the 3.5-liter GDI V6 petrol, rated at 294 PS and
355 Nm of torque, and the 2.2-liter CRDI diesel, producing 201 PS and 440 Nm. Both are paired to an eight-speed
automatic transmission and are offered solely with front-wheel drive.
The 2021 Carnival range will comprise of
four trim levels, named the S, Si, SLi and Platinum. Pricing starts at
AU$ 50,390 (US$ 38,760) for the S when equipped with the petrol engine, and
AU$ 52,390 (US$ 40,299) with the diesel. The Si can be had from AU$ 55,790
(US$ 42,914) and AU$ 57,790 (US$ 44,452) respectively, while for the SLi,
customers will have to pay at least AU$ 60,290 (US$ 46,375) with the petrol
engine and AU$ 62,290 (US$ 47,914) with the diesel. The range-topping Platinum
starts at AU$ 67,990 (US$ 52,298) and goes up to AU$ 69,990 (US$ 53,837) when
ordered with the oil burner.
