ROAD TEST:Kia's new Carnival pushes lots of buttons but doesn't quite match its rivals, says Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
According to Kia, the new Carnival has been styled specifically for European tastes.
If so, then we're a rather unimaginative lot over this part of the world. The new Carnival does have more styling features than the Sedona it replaces, but it's a moot point whether many non-Kia fans will spot the differences on the outside.
Kia is faced with the same problem every car company has with these vehicles: it's hard to overcome the dichotomy of smart styling and practical minibus.
We're fond of calling them people carriers - as if other cars only carry goats. Far more realistic is the American term for these vehicles: minivans.
However the manufacturers dress them up, that's exactly what they are. And perhaps that's where we have our problems. Vans are designed with the sole purpose of transporting things from A to B.
Car traits, like handling and driver enjoyment, are for the most part seen as superfluous. The van world is changing, but it's a far cry from the driving dynamics of modern cars.
The Carnival is a fully-fledged people mover. Taller, wider but shorter than the Sedona model it replaces, the Carnival has all the interior room one expects of such vehicles.
Seven individual seats are mounted in a 2+3+2 layout and all five middle and rear seats can be individually moved, reclined, folded or removed.
The downside, however, is that with all that space for seating, there's little or no bootspace when all seven seats are in action and the very rear seats are still only for the smaller of the family.
The sheer size of the Carnival also comes into play behind the wheel. Without parking sensors, it can be an unwieldy beast around town, though in fairness to Kia, that's the same with many of its rivals. However, nimble handling is not a feature of this particular model.
Two versions are on offer: a well-equipped EX version and the range-topping GSE.
The latter features leather seats, electric heated seats and several other admirable attributes including electrically powered rear sliding doors that are probably worth the extra €4,000 given the sacrifices that owners must make in the way of styling and driving pleasure when entering the fully-fledged people carrier market.
Yet there are little features that let it down. The interior trim has been improved compared to the Sedona and two or three years ago it would have been up with the best in its price category.
But things have moved on since then, with the likes of the Renault Espace and Ford's new Galaxy setting the pace.
For example, while competitors offer ergonomic radio controls and even steering wheel mounted controls, in the Carnival the radio controls are awkward and the central console and other controls lack the quality feel of established rivals.
The Carnival is powered by a 2.9-litre turbocharged diesel engine. It's offered with a choice of manual or automatic transmission, though for most family motoring automatic is the preferred option.
The downside on the Carnival is that the auto gearbox, like the engine, feels rather dated in its ability to respond to power requests from the driver. Acceleration is lethargic, and even though there's 183bhp and 343Nm of torque, nothing much seems to happen until the engine hits 1,750rpm or thereabouts.
However, once it gets going, those are the sort of figures you need when you are pulling a loaded minivan with seven well-fed adults inside. For that you may well be prepared to put up with the seeming lack of synchronicity between gearbox and engine.
Yet a quick look at the competition calls into question whether you need such a large engine.
It's true that rivals lack the bhp output of the Carnival, but virtually all manage quicker 0-100km/h times and many come close in terms of torque. What's more, the smaller engines of, for example, the new Ford Galaxy, is only a 1.8-litre diesel but manages a competent 125bhp, 319Nm of torque and an official 0-100km/h time of 11.3 seconds.
This point is not only for the keen drivers among us, but also comes into play when you are lugging that loaded minivan around a tractor on a short straight.
There's also the little matter of road tax. A 1.8-litre engine will set you back €484 a year, while the 2.9-litre Carnival will see you facing a €1,109 charge.
It's a minor point in the big picture, but even with plans to review the tax system for next year, that's a hefty bill to face if you've got several hungry mouths to feed in the process and it quickly puts any savings made on the initial purchase into perspective.
The Kia story has been regularly told in this newspaper and its stellar rise in recent years has undoubtedly caught the attention of European and US rivals, along with Asian counterparts.
When it announced plans to compete on more than price, there was a certain air of arrogance amongst competitors and industry watchers.
From where Kia was five years ago to where it wants to be is a long and arduous road that took Japanese marques several decades to navigate. Suddenly Kia is featuring in the rearview mirrors of rivals, and it's time to take notice.
There is no doubting Kia's determination and only the naive would dismiss them at this stage.
The oldest car in its fleet is the cheery-looking Picanto supermini and the new C'eed hatchback - set to rival the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus - is already starting to receive rave reviews.
In the people carrying class, the new Carens may look a little frumpy, but it's incredibly practical and is mated to a lively diesel engine.
The Carnival may fit with the rest in terms of timeline, but it doesn't really match them in terms of overall finish. It simply doesn't match its rivals.
The Carens is a serious step in the right direction for the brand, and should rival the likes of the Opel Zafira and Renault Grand Scenic for practicality and arguably performance.
The Carnival, however, still has some of the feel of a Kia from the time when it was a wannabe rather than the serious player that it is today.
It offers all the practicality one would need, but lacks that quality edge that Kia needs to show itself off in this market segment as the force it undoubtedly is set to become in the future.
Kia Carnival- 2.9D Auto GSE 2902cc 0-100km/h: 15.9
secs Max speed: 188km/h Bhp: 183 Consumption: 7.8 (36.2 mpg)
Price: €40,995
Factfile:
ENGINE: A 2,902cc turbodiesel engine offering 183bhp @ 3,800rpm and 343Nm of torque from 1,750rpm
SPECIFICATION: Six airbags; ABS; 16" alloys; foglights; radio/CD with six speakers; air-con; electric windows; roof rails GSE adds: rear side privacy glass; cruise control; electric drivers seat; heated front seats; electrically powered sliding rear door
L/100km (MPG)
Urban: 10.2 (27.7)
Extra-urban:6.4 (44.1)
Combined: 7.8 (36.2)
CO2 emissions:206 g/km
Annual road tax:€1,109
Price: €40,995
(€34,995 to €40,995)