Likes
- Immense levels of practicality and space
- Good-sized boot even with eight onboard
- Smooth and refined power plants
- Good reliability and longevity
Used Kia Carnival review
2015 - 2021
Dislikes
- Petrol engine can be thirsty
- Very hard to shake the people mover image
- Early examples levels of tech beginning to feel dated
- Can suffer various electronic issues
Stuff you should know
It might subjectively be the least sexy category of car but it’s very hard to deny the Kia Carnival (or Sedona depending on your location) is one of the best people movers on the used car market.
Offering incredible practicality, a refined driving experience, excellent levels of safety and technology and near class-leading warranty and after sales support, the Carnival more than makes up for its lack of cool or desirability.
The third-generation Carnival/Sedona was launched in 2015, offering excellent levels of equipment and an ingenious use of space to provide incredible practicality.
2019 brought with it a mid-life update with the Carnival/Sedona receiving exterior and interior aesthetic treatments including a revised face with new LED headlights, revised tail-lights and ‘ice cube’ LED fog-lights along with various tech, equipment and safety revisions.
Mechanically, the 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the outgoing version’s six-speeder.
Kia also thoroughly overhauled the Carnival/Sedona’s base structure. The body shell’s rigidity was increased by 74 per cent while fresh soundproofing material in the wheel arches and under the bonnet provided better refinement.
What goes wrong
- Reports that the powered sliding doors can fail, get stuck or have issues
- Central locking can fail or lock/unlock randomly
- Early examples can suffer from faulty infotainment systems
It should be noted, thanks to Kia’s excellent 7-year warranty, any issues should have been resolved under warranty.
NOTE: The very first Carnivals missed out on the full 5-star ANCAP rating due to a technicality with a change to the rules surrounding the seat belts and also a front floor integrity issue. However, Kia sorted these issues out so all post-2016 Carnivals received the full 5 stars.
- Reports that the powered sliding doors can fail, get stuck or have issues
- Central locking can fail or lock/unlock randomly
- Early examples can suffer from faulty infotainment systems
It should be noted, thanks to Kia’s excellent 7-year warranty, any issues should have been resolved under warranty.
NOTE: The very first Carnivals missed out on the full 5-star ANCAP rating due to a technicality with a change to the rules surrounding the seat belts and also a front floor integrity issue. However, Kia sorted these issues out so all post-2016 Carnivals received the full 5 stars.
- Reports that the powered sliding doors can fail, get stuck or have issues
- Central locking can fail or lock/unlock randomly
- Early examples can suffer from faulty infotainment systems
It should be noted, thanks to Kia’s excellent 7-year warranty, any issues should have been resolved under warranty.
NOTE: The very first Carnivals missed out on the full 5-star ANCAP rating due to a technicality with a change to the rules surrounding the seat belts and also a front floor integrity issue. However, Kia sorted these issues out so all post-2016 Carnivals received the full 5 stars.
Should you buy it
While the range of 7-seat SUV alternatives may provide more in terms of image and sex appeal, if you have the strength of character to look past these factors and have no desire to explore the depths of the wilderness with your entire family onboard, yes, you should buy a Kia Carnival/Sedona.
With genuine luggage space even when fully loaded, a refined and enjoyable driving experience, excellent levels of safety, tech and features, the Carnival/Sedona may just be the best people mover on the market.
While the range of 7-seat SUV alternatives may provide more in terms of image and sex appeal, if you have the strength of character to look past these factors and have no desire to explore the depths of the wilderness with your entire family onboard, yes, you should buy a Kia Carnival/Sedona.
With genuine luggage space even when fully loaded, a refined and enjoyable driving experience, excellent levels of safety, tech and features, the Carnival/Sedona may just be the best people mover on the market.
Should you buy it
While the range of 7-seat SUV alternatives may provide more in terms of image and sex appeal, if you have the strength of character to look past these factors and have no desire to explore the depths of the wilderness with your entire family onboard, yes, you should buy a Kia Carnival/Sedona.
With genuine luggage space even when fully loaded, a refined and enjoyable driving experience, excellent levels of safety, tech and features, the Carnival/Sedona may just be the best people mover on the market.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech Specs
Body Styles
- 5 door Wagon
Engine Specs
- 3.3 litre, 6-cylinder petrol, 206kW / 336Nm (S 2014 – 2020, Si 2014 – 2020, SLi 2014 – 2020, Platinum 2014 – 2020)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 147kW / 440Nm (S 2014 – 2020, Si 2014 – 2020, SLi 2014 – 2020, Platinum 2014 – 2020)
Transmission
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 8-speed Sports Automatic (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.3 – 9.9 / 100km (All Models)
Length
- 5115mm (All Models)
Width
- 1985mm (All Models)
Height
- 1755mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 3060mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 2100kg – 2195kg (All Models)
Towing
- 750kg (unbraked) – 2000kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 4 stars (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- Not tested (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 5 stars (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 5 stars, tested 2016 (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
Body Styles
- 5 door Wagon
Engine Specs
- 3.3 litre, 6-cylinder petrol, 206kW / 336Nm (S 2014 – 2020, Si 2014 – 2020, SLi 2014 – 2020, Platinum 2014 – 2020)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 147kW / 440Nm (S 2014 – 2020, Si 2014 – 2020, SLi 2014 – 2020, Platinum 2014 – 2020)
Transmission
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 8-speed Sports Automatic (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.3 – 9.9 / 100km (All Models)
Length
- 5115mm (All Models)
Width
- 1985mm (All Models)
Height
- 1755mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 3060mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 2100kg – 2195kg (All Models)
Towing
- 750kg (unbraked) – 2000kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 4 stars (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- Not tested (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 5 stars (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 5 stars, tested 2016 (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
Body Styles
- 5 door Wagon
Engine Specs
- 3.3 litre, 6-cylinder petrol, 206kW / 336Nm (S 2014 – 2020, Si 2014 – 2020, SLi 2014 – 2020, Platinum 2014 – 2020)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 147kW / 440Nm (S 2014 – 2020, Si 2014 – 2020, SLi 2014 – 2020, Platinum 2014 – 2020)
Transmission
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 8-speed Sports Automatic (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.3 – 9.9 / 100km (All Models)
Length
- 5115mm (All Models)
Width
- 1985mm (All Models)
Height
- 1755mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 3060mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 2100kg – 2195kg (All Models)
Towing
- 750kg (unbraked) – 2000kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 4 stars (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- Not tested (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 5 stars (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
- 5 stars, tested 2016 (S, Si, SLi, Platinum)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 7 years / unlimited km (All Models)
Servicing
- 15,000 km / 12 months (All Models)
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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