2019 Kia Carnival on sale in Australia

Kia has launched the mid-life update of its popular Carnival MPV in Australia. The 2019 Kia Carnival is now in Kia dealerships, with important equipment additions across the range, such as autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.

The 2019 Kia Carnival has also undergone mechanical changes as well, with a new eight-speed automatic transmission on both V6 petrol and four-cylinder turbo diesel variants helping to reduce fuel consumption. The range has also earned a slight styling revision, with tweaked styling front and rear to keep the car fresh.

“Since its launch three years ago the third generation Carnival has dominated a market segment that values space, comfort, practicality and safety over all else,” Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said. “It is a genuine eight-seat vehicle that can take both passengers and their luggage without fuss.

“With the addition of the latest safety technology – AEB, Lane Departure Warning, smart cruise control and an electronic parking brake across the range – the Carnival is an even smarter choice for both private and fleet buyers.”

Priced from $42,490 plus on-road costs, the 2019 Kia Carnival range is available in four different models. At the entry point to the range is the Carnival S, which is now equipped with AEB, as well as lane departure warning, radar cruise control and an electronic handbrake – as is the rest of the range. We applaud Kia Australia for fitting potentially life saving technology to the whole 2019 Carnival range, especially in a seven-seat MPV.

The Carnival S is also equipped with a new 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – a big improvement on the former 5.0-inch radio screen in Carnival models. Also standard are 17-inch alloy wheels, a four-speaker sound system, cruise control, dual-zone manual climate control, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

One step up the range is the Carnival Si, which is priced from $47,990 plus on-road costs. The Si adds tri-zone climate control, auto-folding mirrors, a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt satellite navigation and live traffic updates, LED daytime running lights and front foglamps, a ‘premium’ steering wheel and shift knob, as well as an eight-speaker JBL sound system.

Above the Si sits the Carnival SLi, which is priced from $52,490 plus on-road costs. The SLi adds front parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, leather upholstery with an eight-way electric driver’s seat and chrome window surrounds.

The top spec Carnival Platinum is priced from $60,290 plus on-road costs, and adds LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic high beam, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, a 360-degree parking camera, an eight-way powered front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a premium 7.0-inch display in the instrument binnacle.

Drivetrains for the 2019 Kia Carnival include a 206kW/336Nm 3.3-litre petrol V6, or for $2,500 more, a 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel. Both drivetrains are matched to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and the diesel has had work to improve its noise, vibration and harshness for occupants. The 2019 Kia Carnival has also undergone changes to improve its general roadholding for Australian conditions.

2019 Kia Carnival pricing (plus on-road costs):
S V6: $42,490
S diesel: $44,990
Si V6: $47,990
Si diesel: $50,490
SLi V6: $52,490
SLi diesel: $54,990
Platinum V6: $60,290
Platinum diesel: $62,790

Metallic paint: $695

The 2019 Kia Carnival is now on sale in Australia. With new metal such as the new Cerato small car not far from Australia, stay tuned to Chasing Cars for more Kia news and reviews.