Kia Carnival named ‘Family Car of the Year’
The Kia Carnival, which was launched in SA in January to overwhelmingly positive reviews, was recently named 'Family Vehicle of the Year' by US-based AutoGuide.
It was recognised as the top family vehicle owing to its impressive interior capacity, extensive safety features, and modern design.
'The Kia Carnival MPV is truly a multipurpose vehicle and breaks the mould of what many perceive a vehicle like this should be,' said Steven Center, COO and EVP, Kia America.
'AutoGuide’s family vehicle award celebrates the Carnival’s premium design and abundant safety technology, and further validates the Carnival’s wide-reaching appeal.'
The panel of AutoGuide judges noted the Kia Carnival was a clear choice for the best family vehicle, with its stylish 'SUV-like exterior' and large interior, along with its suite of safety features and the strong value it brings to the segment.
'It's not just the cool, crossover-adjacent styling. Nor is it those first-class middlerow seats.
The Carnival is such an impressive package because it blends that together with a smooth driving demeanour and lots of standard safety equipment.
That it rings in as one of the most affordable in its segment solidifies it as the vehicle of choice for families,' said Kyle Patrick, AutoGuide editor.
To select the eight vehicles that received the 2022 AutoGuide awards, a panel of seven editors and reporters drove hundreds of vehicles to narrow down the very best cars, trucks, and utility vehicles across North America.
The judges scored the 40 finalists based on value, user-friendliness, space, safety, and more.
SA Range
Kia offers four versions of the Carnival in SA, with a base price of R799 995.
The line-up is powered by a 2.2 litre, turbo-diesel engine producing 148kW and 440Nm.
Drive is handled by an eight-speed automatic transmission that allows the MPV to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 190km/h.
The entry-level model comes equipped with seven leather seats, front and rear manual air-conditioning, automatic headlights, an electrically-adjustable driver seat, four USB ports, drive mode select, auto-folding wing mirrors, an 8-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, hill-start assist, and seven airbags.
Higher specced models gain heated and ventilated front seats, an electrically-adjustable driver seat, LED front fog lights, dual-LED headlamps, LED taillights, a dual sunroof, a wireless charger, front and rear skidplates, a 12.3-inch infotainment display and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Driver assistance systems available in the Carnival comprise a forward collision avoidance assistant, blindspot collision avoidance assist, blindspot view monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, smart cruise control, and an around-view monitor.
The Kia Carnival is sold with a fiveyear/unlimited kilometre warranty, a six-year/90 000km maintenance plan and five-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance.