Kia Carnival VS Volkswagen Multivan
Kia Carnival
Likes
- Space for everyone and everything
- Diesel donk perfectly matches the Carnival
- Improved safety across the range
Dislikes
- Holds back safety for top-spec models
- Diesel soundtrack a constant
- Price rises everywhere
Volkswagen Multivan
Likes
- Fun and easy to drive
- Highly configurable rear seats
- Super practical and spacious
Dislikes
- Entry price is quite high
- No purely petrol model
- Higher servicing costs
Summary
Kia Carnival
This is actually the Carnival that Kia always wanted.
See, the last Carnival, the one this replaces, was Covid compromised, missing out on key technologies, as well as skipping an in-depth ride and handling localisation program, due to part supply issues and a freeze on international travel.
This one, though, addresses all of that, which is why you get a new cabin experience, new tech, and a complete overhaul of the steering and handling.
Read more about
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- Kia's Prado-punishing 4WD shapes up: Ladder-frame, V6-powered SUV based on Tasman ute looks ready for LandCruiser rumble in new renders
- From $20k budget hatchbacks to a $100k premium electric SUV in just a handful of years - How Kia transformed its image and became a pain for brands like Mazda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and even Hyundai
It is, however, significantly more expensive, right across the range.
So, is the Carnival still worth it? Let’s find out.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.5L |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 9.6L/100km |
| Seating | 8 seats |
Volkswagen Multivan
Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan is the brand’s family-oriented bus, and having just been to its Australian launch the people mover feels more high-end and somehow more practical than ever. But something has changed and it’s only now that it feels as though the final piece of the Multivan puzzle has been found and this van is complete.Â
Volkswagen’s entire vehicle range is mind-bogglingly big. From hatchbacks, wagons and SUVs to vans and buses, they all have two things in common - a high-quality feel and practicality. The Multivan has always adhered to this theme, as well.
Now, the new-generation Multivan has arrived and it’s clear Volkswagen has stuck to the same recipe of premium and practical, but there’s been a big change in the way it drives thanks to the decision to stop building the van on a truck-like platform and start building it on one used for cars.
Read more about
- The next-generation 2027 Volkswagen Amarok you won't get to drive! VW reveals plans to build all-new ute, but here's why it may never make it to Australia
- 'It's not just a product for us': Volkswagen shrugs off electric car sales plateau, saying the EV early adopter phase is over in Australia as ID.4 and ID.5 land to rival Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5
- 'Medium SUV has to be the focus': 2025 VW ID.4 and ID.5 to remain German brand's only electric cars for the time being despite ID.3, ID.7 and more being available overseas to battle MG4, BYD Seal and more
You can read more about this below or watch my reaction to piloting the Multivan in my video.
Keep reading for more on the new-gen Multivan.
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.6L/100km |
| Seating | 7 seats |
Verdict
Kia Carnival7.5/10
Ok, here's the rub. Everything you just read could well be pointless. You like the Carnival. In fact, it sometimes makes up close to 90 per cent of the sales in its segment, and outsells all of its competitors combined.
So whether I like it or not, I suspect you'll be buying one anyway.
But I can say this - the new Carnival improves the formula right across the board. Well, everything except for price.
Volkswagen Multivan8.3/10
The Australian launch of the new generation Multivan was confined to the Life grade with the 2.0-litre diesel engine. Later in 2025 the Style grade will arrive bringing a hybrid powertrain and even more features. We’ll be able to test both more thoroughly once we have them in the CarsGuide garage.
From this first drive, however, it's clear that while slightly pricier than its Kia Carnival rival the new generation Multivan is more practical than ever, and now that it rides on a car platform, far better to drive.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.
Design
Kia Carnival
Surely the greatest trick the Carnival pulls off, and it does so convincingly, is that it manages to make something so quintessentially uncool, the people-mover, and make it look good. Somehow sporty, even.
I like the Carnival's big, bold and blacked-out front end of the GT-Line, and with its two-tone 19-inch alloys, wide stance and low ride height, it looks almost like some mad attempt at a JDM tune car, rather than a sensible people mover.
Elsewhere, the boxy profile, the sharp body creases and the third-row compartment that kind of juts over the rear tyres like a house that's been extended all somehow work, and give the Carnival far more street cred than you might expect.
Inside, we spent time only in the flagship GT-Line and its GT-Line Lite sibling, and both present as calming, comfortable spaces, and Kia's minimalist approach to combining the climate and audio controls into a single strip (it's functionality can be changed by pushing a button) helps keep the cabin fuss free.
The tech in the top-spec models feels modern and on-point, too, and the materials are all nice under the touch. Be warned though, the cabin plastics get progressively worse the further back you sit, and the third row is cocooned by hard and scratchy plastics.
Volkswagen Multivan
As with all Volkswagens the redesign of the new-gen Multivan is more about refining than redefining. Just like the Golf hatch which has kept its look through eight generations the Multivan is recognisable and familiar but new and modern looking, too.
Smoother lines, a more heavily raked windscreen and a flatter bonnet make for a cuter snub nose. The new Multivan is less boxy than before even though it is still a box on wheels, just a sleeker, more adorable one.Â
As mentioned, the Multivan comes in two lengths: the short wheelbase, which is 4973mm from the front bumper to the rear bumper, and the long wheelbase which is 5173mm long. Height for both is 1900mm.
Inside, the cabin is modern with large screens for media and driver instruments with a minimalist design to the dash, while the lack of a centre console frees up space. The sense of roominess is enhanced by daylight flooding in through oversized windows which can be taken a step further when combined with the optional panoramic (split panel) glass roof.Â
There are nine body colours to pick from including 'Candy White', 'Pure Grey', 'Reflex Silver Metallic', 'Copper Bronze Metallic', 'Deep Black Pearlescent', 'Energetic Orange Metallic', 'Medium Blue Metallic', 'Mono Silver Metallic' and 'Starlight Blue Metallic'.
Practicality
Kia Carnival
The Carnival measures 5115mm in length, 1995mm in width and 1775mm in height, and it rides on a sizeable 3092mm wheelbase.Â
And those mini-van dimensions have a predictably positive impact on luggage space, with room growing from 627 litres with all seating rows in place, to a massive 2827 litres with the third row stowed.
The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.
But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.
The Carnival will tow 2000kgs braked, too.
Volkswagen Multivan
Practicality is the Multivan's greatest strength. Seven seats come standard and the rear five can be configured into numerous variations. If you like you could have those rear seats facing each other or you can just have a second row with a large boot area or you could have two in the middle row and two in the third row or whatever other variation you can think up. Yes, you can remove all five rear seats and now that they're 25 per cent lighter it’s easier to do so.
People space is excellent and at 189cm tall I found it possible to not only sit comfortably in the second row behind my driving position, but also behind that in the third row with plenty of leg and headroom. Â
An optional multi-functional table is also available and this can slide on rails from the third row all the way up to between the driver and front passenger.
Second row cabin storage is outstanding. You’ll find drawers under the seats big enough for a pair of shoes, hidey holes and cupholders everywhere, seat-back tray tables and gigantic door pockets.
Up front is a double glove box, a dash-top storage bin, more cupholders as well as a multitude of pockets and small storage holes for bits and pieces.
For devices there’s a wireless phone charger and four USB ports.
You’ll also find three-zone climate control with air vents throughout the cabin and dark-tinted glass for the side windows.Â
Finally, the power sliding rear side doors are huge and allow easy entry and exit to and from both rear rows.
Being able to leave the driver or front passenger’s seat and walk through to the second row is also handy and fun. Not while driving, of course, although it’s tempting.
Price and features
Kia Carnival
Bad news first. The price is higher this time around, right across the five-trim line-up, with the prices up between around $2600 and $5300, depending on which trim level you’re shopping for.
Prices start at $50,150 for the entry-level S petrol, and climb to $72,910 for the top-spec GT-Line diesel. There’s also a GT-Line Hybrid, which tops the group at $76,210, but it’s not here yet, so we’ll cross that electrified bridge when we get to it and stick with the ICE range for now.
The range opens with the S ($50,150 petrol, $52,380 diesel), which scores 17-inch alloys, LED headlights and DRLs, heated mirrors, cloth seats, an electronic parking brake, and a smart key with push-button start, which is new for this update.
On the tech front, there is a new integrated 4.0-inch driver display, and a new 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linking with an eight-speaker sound system, now with a surround-sound function.
Stepping up to the Sport ($56,050 petrol, $58,280 diesel) adds 18-inch alloys, rear LED combination lamps, a leather steering wheel and shifter, and dual-zone climate up front with single-zone temperature control in the second row. New for this update is a wireless charging pad and artificial leather seats.Â
Next is the Sport+ ($62,380 petrol, $64,610 diesel), which gets a whole host of new safety equipment, which we will come back to in a moment, along with a powered tailgate, automatic sliding doors and auto windows, and heated seats in the first and second rows. It also ups the tech, with twin 12.3-inch screens taking care of multimedia and driving info duties.
Then comes the GT-Line Lite ($66,350 petrol, $68,580 diesel), which is fitted with bigger 19-inch alloy wheels, scores LED interior lighting, gets a dual-pane auto sunroof and some chrome embellishments on the exterior. The trade-off, though is that the powered windows are now for the driver only, as is the powered front seat.
Finally, there’s the flagship GT-Line ($70,680 petrol, $72,910 diesel), which nabs dual-projection headlights, a heated steering wheel, a 12-speaker BOSE sound system, ventilated seats up front, a big head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror, along with a slightly better interior treatment and the return of the auto window and powered seat to the passenger side of the car.
Volkswagen Multivan
Volkswagen has launched the new Multivan in one grade to begin with called Life and it comes exclusively with a diesel engine. A Style grade will come later in 2025 to sit above it with a higher price but more features and different powertrain - likely a petrol-electric hybrid.
For now, though, the Life is here and there are two versions - a long one and a short one. Volkswagen calls them short wheelbase and long wheelbase but the truth is their wheelbases (the distance between the front and rear wheels) are identical. It’s the back area of the car which differs in length and it’s only 20cm - the length of the boot, basically.
But let’s go with Volkswagen’s choice of words. The Life in short wheelbase form lists for $75,990 and the long wheelbase is $3000 more at $78,990, both before on-road costs.
Standard features on the Life include LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, power sliding rear doors and power tailgate, a 10-inch media screen and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, three-zone climate control, push-button start and eight-speaker audio plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Seven seats are standard, too.
Under the bonnet
Kia Carnival
There are two ICE options on the table here. The first is what I reckon is the lesser of the two, a 3.5-litre petrol V6, producing a rev-happy 216kW and 355Nm.
The better option, I think, is the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which makes 148kW and 440Nm, and just suits the nature of the car a little better.
Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, and send their power to the front tyres.
Volkswagen Multivan
At the moment there’s just the one grade of Multivan, the Life, and it's powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel making 110kW and 360Nm. Transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic which sends drive to the front wheels.
Coming later in 2025 will be a petrol-electric variant but it will only be available in a more premium Style grade.
Efficiency
Kia Carnival
The petrol engine will sip a claimed 9.6 litres per hundred kilometres on the combined cycle, and produce 220g per kilometre of C02. The diesel lowers both those numbers, to 6.5 litres and 170 grams.
Both models are fitted with a 72-litre fuel tank, which means you’ll be sailing well north of $100 to fill one up.
Volkswagen Multivan
Volkswagen says that after a combination of open and urban roads the Multivan Life should use 6.4L/100km. While on the launch the trip computer was recording an average of about 8.5L/100km, but we’ll assess fuel efficiency again when this VW comes into the CarsGuide road test garage.Â
In theory, if you do use 6.4L/100km, the Multivan's 80-litre tank should give you 1250km of range.
The score for efficiency looks quite low here and that's because without having driven the Style grade and the hybrid powertrain all we have to go by currently is the diesel.
Driving
Kia Carnival
Forgive the horrific paraphrasing, but it seems rumours of the death of diesel have been greatly exaggerated, at least when it comes to the Kia Carnival.
Get this – diesel sales make up some 90 per cent of the Carnival's total haul, with petrol providing a pittance towards the sales total, presumably being picked up by fleet buyers.
And to be honest, that means nine out of 10 people are making the right choice here. Yes, the petrol makes more power, but it's the torque on offer from the diesel that makes pushing the Carnival around feel far more effortless.
The petrol engine can definitely get you moving, but it feels a bit too rev-happy and thrashy when you really put your foot down, and its significantly thirstier to boot.
The diesel isn't perfect – the thrum of the engine is a constant companion whenever you put your foot down, and there's actually too much torque on offer at times, like if you're accelerating up hill from a standstill on a damp road, and so the front tyres can scrabble and scramble for grip.
But it otherwise so perfectly suits the nature of the Carnival that it is definitely the best and most satisfying choice.
Another big change for this update is the fact that Kia's complete ride and handling program has been rolled out here. Kia says local work done on the outgoing car, the one this replaces, was curtailed by Covid and bushfires, and so ended up being done by correspondence.
This one, though, has had the whole enchilada thrown at it, and it shows. They've succeeded in making a bigger car feel smaller around you. It's not a sports car by any measure, but nor does it ever feel too big and unwieldily.
Part of that is down to the steering, which is direct and confidence inspiring, but mostly I suspect it's because of the ride, which is firmer than you might expect in a family hauler, but also offers a connection to that road below that makes you feel in control.
Whether a firm-ish ride is a perk or negative is up to you, but it definitely works for me.
Volkswagen Multivan
The missing piece of the Multivan puzzle for me has been the way it drives. Past versions have been less 'car-like' than rivals like the Kia Carnival. It felt like a commercial van to drive, because essentially it was. But that's been fixed.
One of the biggest changes to this new-generation Multivan is the platform on which it's built. Volkswagen has decided to swap the truck-like platform from the past for the 'MQB' platform which underpins vehicles such as the Golf and Tiguan.Â
Having spent a few hours driving this new generation Multivan around some great country roads during the launch I can testify that not only is the ride comfortable and composed but this van handles way better than you might imagine.
While the Multivan is in no way a sports car, good handling adds to the fun factor. It's easy to drive with light, accurate and direct steering, good acceleration and smooth gear changes from the transmission, great pedal feel under your feet and superb visibility from the high seating position and oversized windows all around.
That said, I enjoyed driving the previous generation Multivan. I loved its fun and easy piloting factor and the change in platform for this new-gen model makes the experience even more pleasurable.
Safety
Kia Carnival
Part of the change package for this updated Carnival is in its safety kit, some of which simply wasn’t available when Kia launched its predecessor.
Which is why every model now gets a centre side airbag, 'Forward Collision Assist AEB', 'Rear Occupant Alert', 'Trailer Stability Assist' and front parking sensors, joining the rear ones that were already there.
Sport+ Models and up now add a 'Blind Spot View Monitor' and rain-sensing wipers, as well as rear AEB through the 'Parking Collision Avoidance' function.
I have to say, though, when your entry-level car is $50k-plus, there’s no real excuse for limiting the best safety kit to the upper-spec models.
Also standard are lane keep assist, with 'Lane Follow Assist', multi-collision braking, a speed-limit warning (which you will turn off) and a reversing camera.
The Carnival range carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating, which it earned in 2021.
Volkswagen Multivan
Volkswagen's Multivan scored the maximum five-star ANCAP rating under 2022 criteria (tested by Euro NCAP). Safety tech includes AEB, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, front and rear parking sensors and emergency assistance.
Importantly, side curtain airbags extend to cover all three rows; there's also a centre airbag between the driver and front passenger.
A pleasant surprise was finding how non-intrusive a lot of the safety tech onboard the Multivan is. While there's steering assistance there are no annoying alarms and bells as you'll find in other vehicles. In trying to focus your attention on the road they only distract you further.
Ownership
Kia Carnival
Like all Kias, the Carnival arrives with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with capped-price servicing throughout.
Kia’s servicing costs are higher than some of its competitors, though, so you might want to compare them, as well as compare what’s included, and the diesel model will usually cost slightly more to maintain than the petrol version.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000kms, and while the brand is still finalising the petrol servicing costs, the diesel prices are $386, $682, $480, $869, $434, $845 and $461, covering the first seven years of ownership.
Volkswagen Multivan
The Multivan is covered by Volkswagen’s five year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
Servicing is recommended every 15,000km or annually and will cost you between about $600-800 a year.