Item: 2015 Kia YP Carnival
Rating: 3.5

Willing 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine
Spacious interior
Accomplished ride/handling balance
Quiet, well-insulated cabin

Poor fuel economy for 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine
Some lag from turbo-diesel engine
Four star ANCAP rating

Review: Kia YP.I Carnival (2015-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in February 2015, the Kia YP Series I (YP.I) Carnival was an eight-seat people mover. Manufactured in South Korea, the front-wheel drive Carnival was powered by 3.3-litre V6 petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines that were mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. As per the table below, the Carnival was available in S, Si, SLi and Platinum variants.

Petrol and diesel engines

Of the engines,

The 3.3-litre G6DH ‘Lambda’ V6 petrol engine had an aluminium alloy block and cylinder head, direct fuel injection (Kia’s ‘Gasoline Direct Injection’ or GDI), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (CVVT), a three-stage variable intake manifold and a compression ratio of 11.5:1; and,
Previously used in the VQ Grand Carnival , the 2.2-litre D4HB ‘R’ diesel engine had an aluminium engine block and cylinder head, common-rail direct injection with piezo injectors (operating at 1800 bar), a variable geometry Garrett GTB1752VLK turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 16.0:1. To reduce engine noise, the engine was fitted with a new acoustic covers for the block, diesel particulate filter and drive chain case.

Kia Carnival specifications
Variants	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
S, Si, SLi, Platinum	3.3-litre G6DH petrol V6	6sp auto	206 kW at 6000 rpm	336 Nm at 5200 rpm
S, Si, SLi, Platinum	2.2-litre D4HB turbo-diesel I4	6sp auto	147 kW at 3800 rpm	440 Nm at 1750-2750 rpm

Dimensions and body

The Kia YP Carnival was 5115 mm long, 1985 mm wide, 1755 mm tall and had a 3060 mm long wheelbase. Compared to its predecessor, the YP Carnival chassis achieved a 74 per cent increase in torsional rigidity, in part due to 76 per cent of the body consisting of either high strength or ultra high strength steel. Furthermore, greater refinement was achieved through new under-floor panels, new carpets and repositioned windscreen wipers.

The Kia Carnival had sliding rear doors for access to the second and third row seats – for SLi and Platinum variants, the doors were power-operated. Inside, cargo space behind the third row of seats was 960 litres; this increased to 2220 litres when the third row seats were folded flat and 4022 litres when the second seats were folded and slid forward.

Steering and suspension

The Kia YP Carnival had hydraulic power-assisted steering, MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. According to Kia, however, the use of a hydraulic rebound spring on the front axle and stiffer suspension bars and cross-member bush mountings on the rear provided greater stability and bump absorption than its predecessor.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Kia YP Carnival included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The Kia Carnival Platinum was further equipped with:

Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Lane Change Assist (LCA);
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA);
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS); and,
Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS).

Brakes

The Kia YP Carnival had 320 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 302 mm solid rear discs.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , 2015 Kia YP Carnival models with V6 petrol engines received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 30.48 out of 37. In the frontal offset crash test, deformation of the firewall and footwell, combined with excessive pedal movement, caused protection of the driver’s thighs, feet and lower right leg to be rated as marginal; chest and lower left leg protection were rated as acceptable. In the side impact and pole tests, maximum points were awarded.

Kia YP Carnival models that were produced after 23 December 2015 – when several safety improvements were introduced – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.62 out of 37.

Features: Carnival S, Si, SLi and Platinum

Standard features for the Kia Carnival S included 17-inch steel wheels with 235/65 R17 tyres, a six speaker sound system with an MP3-compatible CD player with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), 750MB audio storage, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, dual-zone air conditioning, grey cloth seats, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat (including height), cruise control, automatic headlights, a rear view camera with parking guidelines, rear parking sensors, sliding and reclining second row seats, 60:40 split and flat folding third row seats, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, three 12 volt power sockets and USB charging ports, vanity mirrors, roof rails, a trip computer and an immobiliser. All Carnival models were fitted with a space-saving temporary spare wheel.

The Carnival Si was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control air conditioning, DVD player (playback only when stationary), satellite navigation system with an 8-inch colour display and SUNA live traffic updates, an eight-inch colour LCD for audio and climate controls, a 3.5-inch OLED cluster with digital speedometer, front fog lights, premium steering wheel and gearshift knob, automatically folding door mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, tinted windows and rear privacy glass. The Carnival Si (and above) could also be identified by its LED rear combination lamps.

Beyond this, the Carnival SLi added 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R18 tyres, two-tone grey leather seats, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, a cooled glovebox, front parking sensors, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power sliding doors, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, push-button start and a ‘smart’ tailgate that would automatically open when the key was detected in close proximity. Visual cues for the Carnival SLi and Platinum included a chrome front grille accent, chrome window surrounds and aero-blade type front wipers.

The range-topping Carnival Platinum was distinguished by its 19-inch chrome-finish alloy wheels with 235/55 R19 tyres, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support, an eight-way power adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated front and outer second row seats, HID headlights with washers, a ‘wood look’ steering wheel, a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster, alloy front door scuff panels, second and third row sunshades and portable LED lamp in the cargo area.

The Carnival Platinum also featured:

A ‘High Beam Assist’ function which, when turned on, would automatically use high beam headlights when it was safe to do so and, if oncoming traffic was detected would revert to low beams; and,
Smart Cruise Control (SCC): when the cruise control function was activated, Smart Cruise Control would maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead by automatically braking and accelerating (up to the cruising speed).

The Carnival Platinum could be identified by its black high-gloss mesh grille, satin silver painted lower bumper trim (front and rear).

Paint colours

The Kia Carnival was available in Clear White, Bright Silver, Platinum Graphite, Deep Blue and Aurora Black paint finishes.

Review: Kia YP.II Carnival (2018-20)