Mario James, Gleaner Writer

Stuffing a big family into a five-seat sedan is no fun, even if the car is a big one. Extended families are topping eight, nine people, so what's the well heeled soccer mom to do? Carpooling half of Junior's soccer team in a Honda Accord might lead to their competitive spirit being exercised in less space than your average family bathroom, with predictable results. What to do?

If you were looking for an MPV on a budget, up to two years ago, the only solution was to buy a Mitsubishi Grandis. It sold for less than $3 million (at the time) and offered adaptability, space, comfort and style that few could match, coupled with a driving experience that left it alone in its class. Toyota, Honda, Ford and Subaru all make seven seaters, but they are not carried here. So Mitsubishi carried the flag, and they managed to sell a lot of the Grandis without trying very hard.

But as good as that car is, it is going to be given stiff competition by the vehicle you see here. Known in other countries as the Sedona, this model is actually a rebadged Hyundai Entourage with a few enhancements. All new for 2007, its main feature is the two sliding doors. If you ever had to park closely between two vehicles, it is the first feature one appreciates. Carnival's brochure said that they were available as powered options as well, but our tester did not have this option. The exterior styling may be a little bland, but the high roofline gives a 'roominess' inside that is unmatched in any other vehicle in its class. The interior is very well turned out; at $3.69 million, leather seats are available. Front and rear legroom is unbelievable, and the front seats have attached armrests. There is a 'cup console' between the front seats, which is easily folded away if Junior wants to clamber up from the second row to the front. Third-row seating can be slid forwards, locked in its clamshell position and folded away, or completely removed for cavernous trunk space.

Versatile

The vehicle feels like a Ford Econoline; it is so big inside! Dual climate zones, front and rear, add to the versatility of the interior, with the second-row passengers being able to control the temperatures in the back. Carnival also comes with a reversing sensor, which is a bargain in this class. The rear passengers have got it made where space is concerned. Access to the third row is a bit tight, but once there, palatial space is available with two cup-holders per passenger. Ventilation is good, too, with even powered rear pivot windows making the scene. Sliding door windows also receive powered treatment, and they are panoramic. Placement of the motorised seat controls is worthy of an award, as they have put them on the doors of the van instead of on the bolster between the door and the seat. The rear-view mirror control is placed nearby, and these two controls are within easy reach. This interior has been thought about, and ergonomically, it works. Very well.

Powered by the 162-horsepower 2.9-litre CRDI five-cylinder engine unabashedly stolen from Hyundai Terracan, the vehicle is strong off the line but quickly runs out of breath. It has a 4,000 rpm redline, and though it moves quickly from start, it could only manage a 15.2 second 0-100 km/h run. However, on our trip to the NeverSatisfy'd races in Negril, Sunday last, Carnival effortlessly cruised at 70 mph (this was a brand new example, and Automotives didn't want to stress it as it was obviously not run in). But the torque reserve was huge, the car belying its weight and surging through the gears with authority up Spur Tree. At 70 mph, Carnival's engine was loping along at all of 1,700 rpm.

Steering

Turn in wasn't exceptional, and the steering did feel a little vague, but this is a minivan, not a grand tourer. Roll was well controlled, and although there were only two persons on the trip, the occupants weren't jostled over the poorer road surfaces. Ride was excellent, the chassis remaining settled while the wheels were working. It was beautifully damped.

The four-wheel disc brakes were also up to par, not boiling or fading despite riding the pedal all the way down Spur Tree! Mileage was excellent; the 380-mile round trip (which included a two-hour and 45-minute idle time waiting to get out of JamWest) only consumed 10 gallons of diesel, with about quarter tank in reserve after coming back to town. Thirty-eight mpg is not bad at all for an engine of this size.

So while the Grandis does offer a better driving experience, value-wise, it loses ground to the new contender. Kia Carnival offers more space with dual sliding doors, better ergonomics and rear seats that come out without the use of so much as a screwdriver (they do weigh a ton, though). Carrying kids or revellers, or just moving stuff from point to point, Carnival is a value-ridden package.