Kia Carnival

The Carnival at a glance: a minivan built for big families

Kia launched the Carnival in 1998 as its first large MPV, and it has stayed a front-wheel-drive, sliding-door people carrier ever since. The car is built at Kia's Gwangmyeong plant in South Korea, with assembly in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, India and other countries for local markets. In the USA it was called the Sedona until the fourth generation, when the global Carnival name took over. Kia's story is told in the history of Kia, and every model of the brand is in the Kia catalogue.

In Europe the Carnival was sold until 2012, when the second generation was withdrawn from the UK because of low sales. Later generations have concentrated on Asia, North America and Australia, where large MPVs still sell well.

Kia Carnival generations from 1998 to today

First generation (1998–2005)

In Europe the original Carnival had a 2.5-litre KV6 petrol engine of 120 kW (163 PS), later 110 kW (150 PS). The alternative was a 2.9-litre turbo-diesel with 93 kW (126 PS), replaced by a common-rail version in 2001. North American Sedonas used a 3.5-litre Hyundai V6 with 145 kW (198 PS). A facelift arrived in February 2001, and the car was also built in Malaysia as the Naza Ria.

Second generation (2006–2014)

The second Carnival grew to more than 5.1 metres in its long-wheelbase form. It came with a wide range of V6 engines, topped by a 3.8-litre Lambda V6 with 179 kW (243 PS) in North America. In the UK the 2.9 diesel was replaced by a 2.2 CRDi with 141 kW (192 PS). This generation earned a 2006 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five stars from NHTSA in frontal and side impacts. It also gave Hyundai a twin, the Entourage of 2006–2009.

Third generation, YP (2014–2020)

The YP made its world debut at the New York motor show in April 2014. It is built on a new, stiffer and slightly longer platform. According to the old 1cars text, Kia claimed a 36 % gain in torsional rigidity, and more than 75 % of the body is high-strength steel. Engines are the 3.3-litre Lambda V6 with direct injection, 206 kW (280 PS) and 336 Nm, and a 2.2-litre CRDi diesel with 147 kW (200 PS) and 440 Nm. Early cars had a six-speed automatic, replaced in many markets by an eight-speed unit from 2018.

The suspension uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link axle on a separate subframe at the rear, with ventilated front discs. The cabin offers up to eight seats in the American version, sliding second-row seats and a maximum luggage space of about 2,200 litres.

Fourth generation, KA4 (since 2020)

The KA4 was revealed in June 2020 on Hyundai-Kia's new mid-size platform. It is 40 mm longer than the YP and has a 30 mm longer wheelbase, at 3,090 mm. The design moved closer to an SUV, with a long bonnet and a wide grille. A facelift was revealed on 27 October 2023 for the 2025 model year, bringing the first hybrid Carnival.

KA4 engines: V6, turbo four, diesel and hybrid

Every Carnival drives the front wheels; there is no all-wheel-drive version. The 3.5 MPi accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and the diesel in 10.7 seconds, both with a top speed of 190 km/h. The hybrid's petrol engine alone gives 132 kW (180 PS) and 265 Nm; the electric motor fills the gap at low revs.

Size, seats and luggage space

These figures are for the facelifted fourth generation. Depending on the market, it seats seven, eight, nine or eleven people: Thailand and Malaysia had eleven-seat versions, while North America offers seven or eight. At 5.16 metres long and almost 2 metres wide, the Carnival needs a big space, so check your garage or parking space with the garage fit tool before buying.

Hybrid, diesel or V6: fuel figures

The hybrid is the most economical version. A UK spec database lists combined figures of about 7.4 l/100 km for the 1.6 hybrid, 7.6 l/100 km for the 2.2 diesel and 11.1 l/100 km for the 3.5 V6. The matching CO2 figures are 116, 146 and 189 g/km. In daily use a heavy MPV with eight people on board will use more. The fuel cost calculator turns these figures into the cost of a family trip.

Equipment and cabin features

Equipment varies widely by market, but the Carnival has always been a well-equipped family car. For the YP generation, the old 1cars text lists curtain airbags and blind-spot monitoring on the base car. Higher trims add a panoramic roof, a powered tailgate and power sliding doors, plus mirrors that fold out as the driver approaches. Second-row seats slide on rails and have leg rests, and the seat fabric is antibacterial and stain-resistant. The fourth generation adds large digital screens, more driver assistance systems and, in some markets, reclining "VIP" seats in the second row.

ANCAP results for the YP and KA4

The fourth-generation Carnival was tested by ANCAP in 2021 using the same protocols as Euro NCAP. It scored 90 % for adult occupant protection, 88 % for child occupants, 68 % for vulnerable road users and 82 % for safety assistance. The YP was rated by ANCAP in 2015 and again in 2016, when its frontal-offset result improved from 10.48 to 14.29 points out of 16. Euro NCAP has not published a result for the Carnival.

Buying a used Carnival: checks

A used Carnival has often had a hard life with children and heavy loads. Check that the sliding doors open and close smoothly on their rollers and motors, that the automatic gearbox changes cleanly, and that the diesel's emissions system has been looked after. On any version, ask for a full service record with regular oil changes.

Rivals: how the Carnival compares

Against American and Japanese minivans, the Carnival offers a diesel and the widest choice of seat layouts, but no all-wheel drive, which the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica offer. Inside Kia's range, the seven-seat Kia Sorento and the Kia Telluride are the SUV alternatives with all-wheel drive.