Verdict
B
MPV · South Korea · 1998-Present
Kia Carnival
Kia Carnival — spec data and generation history.
Years
1998-Present
Generations
4
Segment
MPV
Kia's full-size people-carrier — sold in the UK as Sedona for the first three generations, renamed Carnival globally for Mk4. Mk1 (1998-2006) was the original budget Galaxy/Espace alternative; Mk2 (2006-2014) modernised on a proper monocoque; Mk3 (2014-2021) was the smart Schreyer-era car with 2.2 CRDi diesel; Mk4 (2021-Present) is the dramatic 'urban SUV-styled' MPV with 2.2 diesel and (in some markets) hybrid. Always cheaper than Volkswagen Sharan, always more reliable than Renault Espace. The Mk3 and Mk4 are the genuinely good ones — vast, sensible, and unfashionable in the best way.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Mk2 Sedona 2006-2014 → Mk3 Sedona 2014-2021
BHP +5 bhp
Torque +45 Nm
0–60 mph −1.5 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +9 mpg
Mk3 Sedona 2014-2021 → Mk4 Carnival 2021-Present
BHP +0 bhp
Torque +10 Nm
0–60 mph −0.8 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +3 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1998-2006
Mk1 Sedona
→
2.9 CRDi — 144 bhp, 0-62 in 13.5s.
Verdict
C
BHP
144
0–60
13.5 s
Top
110 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$600-$3,200
- + Cheap big MPV
- + 7-seat practical
- − Truck-like to drive
- − Body rust
2006-2014
Mk2 Sedona
→
2.2 CRDi — 195 bhp, 0-62 in 12.0s.
Verdict
C
BHP
195
0–60
12.0 s
Top
121 mph
MPG
31 mpg
Used
$1,900-$7,000
- + Proper monocoque now
- + Sliding rear doors
- − DPF problems
- − Cabin dated by end
2014-2021
Mk3 Sedona
→
2.2 CRDi — 200 bhp, 0-62 in 10.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
200
0–60
10.5 s
Top
126 mph
MPG
38 mpg
Used
$10,000-$28,000
- + Proper Schreyer styling
- + Big cabin, sensible cabin
- − DPF still
- − Heavy
2021-Present
Mk4 Carnival
→
2.2 CRDi — 200 bhp, 0-62 in 9.7s.
Verdict
B
BHP
200
0–60
9.7 s
Top
126 mph
MPG
41 mpg
Used
$36,000-$61,000
- + SUV-meets-MPV looks
- + Cabin a real step up
- − Big to park
- − UK uptake low
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1998-2006 · Mk1 Sedona
- CRDi turbo failure
- Auto box harshness
- Body rust
2006-2014 · Mk2 Sedona
- DPF blocking
- Sliding door motor failure
- EGR cooler
2014-2021 · Mk3 Sedona
- 2.2 CRDi DPF regen
- Power-sliding door electrics
- 8-AT torque converter
2021-Present · Mk4 Carnival
- Infotainment lag (early)
- 12V battery weak
- Power-sliding door sensor
Rivals
Ford Galaxy · Volkswagen Sharan · SEAT Alhambra · Citroen Space Tourer