Though the Kia Carnival might have a daggy reputation, it remains undoubtedly the best choice for large families.
Just like people, cars come in all shapes and sizes, and each has its place in the motoring landscape no matter how niche or daggy it may seem.
One such segment that cops unfair flack is the people mover, often seen as boring, drab, and dull transportation for large families.
But for those that need transportation of up to eight passengers, there’s little other choice than getting a minivan model.
Luckily, the segment isn’t what it once was, and models such as the Kia Carnival or Ford Tourneo are now packed with high-end features, while also sporting more fashionable design cues, which pair nicely with unparalleled practicality.
I mean, who doesn’t love a rear-sliding door to make ingress and egress that much easier?
Last year saw the Kia Carnival take out the top honours in this Drive Car of the Year category, and it returns again after the brand introduced a more fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.
Unfortunately, the competing Ford Tourneo has not arrived in market in time to challenge the Carnival, and neither has the updated Hyundai Palisade.
With an award criteria stating eligible models need seating for eight, while also featuring monocoque underpinnings, it leaves few contenders this year, but with one clear winner – even if it's by default.
Drive’s pick: Kia Carnival GT Line Hybrid from $76,210 before on-road costs
Kia Carnival key facts:
- Priced from $49,888 (or $46,990 for MY25 models)
- 460km of claimed driving range
- Six-year / 150,000km warranty
Why the Kia Carnival won:
- Unrivalled practicality
- High-end cabin
- Fuel-saving hybrid powertrain
Without competition from heavy hitters like the Toyota Tarago and Honda Odyssey – both now discontinued for the Australian market – the Kia Carnival has been left to dominate the people mover market for some years now.
But Kia has not rested on its laurels or become complacent as the segment-leading model in terms of sales and interest.
In the last 12 months, Kia has brought in its facelifted Carnival, introducing minor tweaks to ride and handling, as well as styling, but the headline change is now a petrol-electric hybrid option.
Sure, the new engine might only be available to the top-of-the-tree GT Line grade that pushes pricing to $76,210 before on-road costs, but the cutting-edge hybrid powertrain has tangible benefits.
Not only is fuel economy in this eight-seater comparable to (and even better than some) light hatchbacks, but it also provides smoother power delivery that keeps the cabin quiet and serene.
Families who might not want to drop nearly $80K on the top-spec Carnival also have options equipped with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder for those on a budget.
With pricing starting from $50,150, buyers thinking a three-row large SUV is the right option for their growing families need to seriously consider looking at a Kia Carnival instead.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
