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 eight-seat Platinum edition a surprise package at $69,890 drive-away, with five star ANCAP crash safety rating.

Only disappointment on this petrol model is its thirst for fuel and I could only manage a best economy of l3L/100km, a downside given the current high petrol prices but it does use regular unleaded. 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 model that it behaves on road the equal of many premium luxury SUV’S and features no less than four drive modes.

Great family transport on a long trip 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. With Kia’s 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty little wonder it’s the top-selling people mover on the market.

I’m David Berthon.

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