
• The Carnival replaces the Grand Sedona is Kia South Africa's line-up.
• The Carnival offers new levels of utility and luxury for Kia, with multiple seating configurations.
• The Carnival is sold with a six-year or 90 000km full maintenance plan.
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Kia's all-new Carnival is now available in South Africa and replaces the outgoing Grand Sedona. Boasting seven or eight seats, the Carnival will bridge the gap between an SUV and multi-purpose vehicle at the upper-end of the sub-million-rand region.
The Carnival adopts Kia's current signature SUV style design, with a modernized 'tiger nose' grille adding further width to the vehicle's face. Kia's high-tech LED headlights have been integrated into the frontal design.
Gary Scott, CEO of Kia South Africa, says: "The Kia Carnival is here to disrupt a staid segment and proves once again what is possible when conventions are shattered. With its SUV-like character, Carnival delivers a combination of premium design and features, intelligent packaging, and an abundance of innovation in safety and technology at a price that packs a value punch."
Spacious cabin
The Carnival will be available in four specification trim levels, ranging between seven- and eight-seat configurations. Kia South Africa says that with all the seats in the upright position, boot space is rated at 1 139 litres - more than enough for that overextended family holiday requiring more than one suitcase per passenger. However, with the third row of seats stored in the Carnival's floor and the second row removed, loading space increases to a Grand Canyon-rivalling 4 110L.
Adds Kia SA: "Seven-seat versions of the all-new Carnival offer two individual second-row chairs matching the front seats. On the mid-range EX+ derivative, 'Slide-Flex' seating for eight passengers allows for multiple configurations, including a sliding second-row centre seat. In the forward-most position, it allows the front passenger to easily access the baby or child riding in it. This seat also converts into a functional table."
Kia's new 'Smartstream' 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is powering the front-wheel drive Carnival. With 148kW and 440Nm to its disposal, the new engine is not just more powerful than the one it replaces, but more fuel-efficient, too. The torque figure is available in a broad band between 1 750 - 2 750rpm. The engine sends its power to the front wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
The all-new Kia Carnival is now available in South Africa.
• Carnival 2.2 CRDi EX 8AT 7-Seater - R799 995
• Carnival 2.2 CRDi EX+ 8AT 8-Seater - R879 995
• Carnival 2.2 CRDi SX Limited 8AT 7-Seater - R999 995
• Carnival 2.2 CRDi SXL 8AT 7-Seater - R1 024 995
All Carnival models come standard with Kia's Unlimited km or five-year warranty (inclusive of roadside assistance), as well as a six-year or 90 000km maintenance plan. The latter is a comprehensive package covering several components at no cost to the owner over and above a standard service plan.