Review: Kia VQ Grand Carnival (2006-14)

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

Overview

Released in January 2006, the Kia VQ Series I (VQ.I) Grand Carnival was an eight-seat people mover. Manufactured in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Grand Carnival was initially available with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a five speed automatic transmission. In March 2009, however, a 2.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine was introduced. The VQ Grand Carnival range initially consisted of EX, EX-L and Premium variants. In 2007, however, a range-topping Platinum variant was introduced. In March 2009, the entry-level EX was replaced by the EXE.

G6DA petrol and J3 diesel engines

Of the engines,

• the 3.8-litre G6DA ‘Lambda’ V6 petrol engine had an aluminium engine block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake valve timing (CVVT), a variable intake manifold and a compression ratio of 10.4:1; and,
• the 2.9-litre J3 ‘J-Series’ turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron engine block, aluminium cylinder heads, common-rail direct injection (operating at 1600 bar), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 18.4.

Dimensions

Compared to the closely-related VQ Carnival , the VQ Grand Carnival was 320 mm longer (at 5130 mm) and had a 130 mm longer wheelbase (3020 mm); width and height, however, were unchanged (1985 mm and 1760 mm, respectively).

Suspension

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

Safety equipment

Safety equipment for the Grand Carnival EX included dual front airbags, ABS and electronic brake force distribution. Beyond this, the EX-L added front side airbags and curtain airbags; the Premium and Platinum variants were further equipped with electronic stability control and traction control.

With the release of the Grand Carnival EXE in March 2009, electronic stability control and traction control were made standard across the range.

Features

Standard features for the Grand Carnival EX and EXE included a six speaker sound system with CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, roof rails, tinted windows and an immobiliser. Inside, the seats were configured 2-3-3; the third row of seats could split 60:40 and be folded flat into the floor.

Beyond this, the Grand Carnival EX-L added 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped gearshift and steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and a powered sliding door. The Premium was further equipped with leather seats, while the Platinum was differentiated by its 17-inch alloy wheels, eight speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, sunroof, rear parking sensors and powered tailgate.

Review: Kia VQ.II Grand Carnival (2010-14)

Overview

Released in June 2010, the VQ Series II (VQ.II) updated the eight-seat Grand Carnival range with a new petrol engine, subtle cosmetic changes and improved safety equipment. The variants were also revised and initially consisted of the Si, SLi and Platinum. Visually, the VQ.II Grand Carnival could be identified by its Schreyer grille and door mirrors with integrated indicators.

G6DC and D4HB engines

In May 2011, a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine was introduced to replace the 2.9-litre turbo-diesel and the range was expanded with a price-leading S variant. Of the new engines in the VQ.II Grand Carnival range,

• the 3.5-litre G6DC ‘Lambda II’ V6 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder heads, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT), a variable intake system and a compression ratio of 10.6:1; and,
• 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.

Safety equipment

Safety equipment comprised for the VQ.II Grand Carnival included dual front airbags, front 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.

Features

Standard features for VQ.II Grand Carnival included a six speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, 60/40 split and flat folding rear seats, tilt adjustable steering wheel, power mirrors and windows, remote central locking, tinted windows and immobiliser.

With its introduction in May 2011, the S variant introduced features that were not previously fitted within the VQ.II Grand Carnival range, such as auxiliary sound system inputs (MP3/USB/iPod), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and front fog lights.

Compared to the S, the Grand Carnival Si added heated mirrors, third-row power windows, metallic interior highlights, illuminated vanity mirrors and roof rails; from April 2011, the Si was also fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Grand Carnival SLi was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, a rear-view camera, rain-sensing wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and power sliding doors. From May 2011, the SLi was fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, while the rain-sensing wipers were omitted.

Finally, the Grand Carnival Platinum was also fitted with an eight speaker sound system including subwoofer with six-stack CD player, three-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, power tailgate and power sunroof. From May 2011, however, the Platinum was fitted with a more basic six speaker sound system.

Brochures

• Brochure: Kia VQ-II Grand Carnival (October 2011)
• Brochure: Kia VQ-II Grand Carnival (December 2012)
• Brochure: Kia VQ-II Grand Carnival (July 2013)
• Brochure: Kia VQ-II Grand Carnival (September 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Kia VQ-II Grand Carnival (September 2014)
• Wikipedia.org: Kia VQ Grand Carnival