The Kia Carnival has a history in Australia as the practical choice for families who need eight seats and refuse to apologise for it. The 2021 model is a significant redesign: the boxy people-mover silhouette is gone, replaced by something that sits closer to a large SUV in profile. It is Kia's attempt to make the family van something buyers feel proud to park outside school pickup.
Simone reviews the Carnival with the lens of a family that actually uses all eight seats. Third-row access is one of the key tests, and the Carnival's sliding rear doors make loading and unloading children and their equipment a manageable process. The infotainment setup is current and capable, and power for overtaking on the highway is adequate for the vehicle's size.
For large families who need the seats and want a more contemporary-looking solution than a traditional van, the 2021 Carnival is the most credible option in its segment. It asks more than a basic people mover and delivers more in return. Those who only occasionally need the third row might find a large SUV a better fit.
The full review is on the CarTell.tv YouTube channel above.
