Review: Kia VQ Carnival (2006-11)

Review: Kia VQ.I Carnival (2006-10)

Overview

Released in August 2006, the Kia VQ Carnival was an eight seat people mover. Manufactured in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Carnival was powered by a 2.7-litre V6 engine that was mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The VQ Carnival range initially consisted of EX and EX Luxury variants. In December 2008, the EX Luxury was discontinued and, in April 2009, the EX was replaced by the EXE. 

G6BA engine

The 2.7-litre G6BA ‘Delta’ V6 engine had an aluminium alloy cylinder block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

Dimensions

Sharing its platform with the MG Magentis , the VQ Carnival was lighter and stiffer than its KV Carnival predecessor due to the greater proportion of high tensile steel in its chassis. Compared to its KV predecessor, the VQ Carnival was 80 mm shorter (at 4810 mm), 90 mm wider (1985 mm), 30 mm lower (1760 mm) and had a 20 mm shorter wheelbase (2890 mm). The closely-related VQ Grand Carnival was 320 mm longer (at 5130 mm) and had a 130 mm longer wheelbase.

Suspension

The VQ Carnival had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Carnival EX included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Beyond this, the Carnival EX Luxury was further equipped with front side airbags and curtain airbags for the first and second rows.

Compared to the EX, the Carnival EXE was further equipped with electronic stability control and traction control.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a VQ Carnival with a 2.9-litre diesel engine – and fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags as per the EX Luxury – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 28.81. In the frontal offset crash test, components in the engine bay moved backwards and caused the driver’s footwell to tear and some spot welds to release; protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver, while there was also a moderate risk of serious leg injury for the front passenger.

Features: Carnival EX, EXE and EX Luxury

Standard features for the Carnival EX and EXE included a six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tinted windows and an immobiliser. Beyond this, the EX Luxury added 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift.

2008 Carnival EX Sports

In August 2008, a limited number of 2007-build EX Sports editions were released; these models were distinguished by their 16-inch alloy wheels, side steps, nudge bar, steering wheel audio controls and Sports decals.

Review: Kia VQ.II Carnival (2010-11)

Overview

Released in June 2010, the VQ Series II (VQ.II) Carnival introduced additional safety equipment, improved features and a subtle facelift. The range consisted solely of the automatic-only S variant, powered by the same 2.7-litre petrol V6 engine as before. Visually, the VQ.II Carnival could be identified by its ‘Schreyer grille’, indicators within the door mirror housings and new wheel covers. The VQ.II Carnival was discontinued in May 2011.

Safety equipment

Compared to its VQ.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the VQ.II Carnival was upgraded to include front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags.

Features: Carnival S

Standard features for the Kia VQ.II Carnival were extended to include dual zone climate control air conditioning.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Kia VQ Carnival