If you’ve got a large family don’t overlook the latest Kia Carnival  people mover. The word people mover may conjure up thoughts of a large box with little or no sophistication. Far from it, the latest 3.5-litre V6 8-speed automatic Carnival Platinum I’ve just tested a surprise package at $67,990 drive-away, with five star ANCAP crash safety rating and a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty.  Only disappointment on this petrol model is its thirst for fuel and I could only manage a best economy of l3L/100km. and here the 2.2-litre turbo diesel may be the better option. The Carnival is large yes but it doesn’t feel so on road due to sharp dynamics. Seat versatility is its key – so many seat options that turns it from people carrier to cargo carrier very easily.

The Platinum edition the burger with the lot with a host of power features like a hands-free power tailgate and power sliding rear side doors – great for kid safety . Quite frankly, such are the improvements in this latest fourth-generation model that it behaves on road the equal of many premium luxury SUV’S and features no less than four drive modes.  Great transport on a long trip for a family with climate control air-conditioning to all three rows a multitude of cup and bottle holders and USB ports plus a large cooled glove box.

I’m David Berthon

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