kia carnival 2023 review Page 5

The 2023 Kia Carnival is the people-mover that makes SUVs look a bit silly, because it actually fits people and their stuff.

Go the diesel for relaxed torque and sensible fuel use; the V6 petrol is smooth but thirstier than a tradie after knock-off.

It drives more like a big wagon than a bus, with tidy steering, a comfy ride and a cabin that’s a storage-and-USB farm.

Safety kit is generous and the 8-seat layout is genuinely family-proof, though the third row is for humans, not giants, and the sliding doors need space in narrow carparks.

Infotainment and driver aids are modern and mostly drama-free, but lane-keep can nag—dive into the menus and tame it.

As a family hauler per dollar, it’s right up there, and the long warranty sweetens the school-run slog.