Best Family Wagon of 2016

Kia Carnival SLi is Australia's Best Family Wagon of 2016.

Winner: Kia Carnival SLi

Carnival may still look a little like a delivery van, but it is a well-presented wagon, designed specifically to carry up to eight people in relative comfort. Almost car-like driving characteristics make it easy to live with, and there is a high level of quality and refinement. Being designed and built from the ground up as a people-mover, it is well proportioned and avoids some of the compromises you get with SUV wagons.

Thanks to some important improvements in its safety credentials, Carnival has now achieved an excellent five-star ANCAP rating.

The combination of comfort and space in all three rows is extremely high. This is especially noticeable in the third row, which can seat up to three adults in relative comfort. Climbing in and out of the third row, however, is still a touch awkward. 

The SLi grade comes well dressed with leather trim, practically positioned controls and instrumentation, and a sensible range of standard features, including an excellent infotainment, navigation and connectivity package.

The diesel engine’s broad spread of strong mid-range torque, together with smooth-changing six-speed gearbox, delivers good performance for everyday driving.