The Kia Carnival Hybrid has officially been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, extending the people mover’s strong safety reputation across all petrol, diesel, and hybrid variants.
First tested in 2021, the Carnival set a high benchmark in the people mover category with its strong safety package. With the hybrid version now entering the market, ANCAP conducted new crash tests to confirm that electrification did not compromise protection.
Breaking down the safety scores
The Carnival Hybrid was assessed against ANCAP’s 2020–2022 protocols (with supplementary tests for the hybrid) and delivered impressive results across all four key safety categories:
- Adult Occupant Protection: 90%
- Child Occupant Protection: 88%
- Vulnerable Road User Protection: 68%
- Safety Assist: 82%
Adult Occupant Protection – 90% (34.54 out of 38)
The Carnival performed strongly in adult occupant protection. The frontal offset test returned 5.98/8, while the full-width frontal scored 7.78/8. Side impact and oblique pole tests both achieved the maximum 6.00/6. Far-side impact protection was rated at 3.00/4, supported by the inclusion of a centre airbag (standard from Feb 2024 onwards).
Whiplash protection was strong in the front (2.97/3) but lower in the rear (0.81/3). The vehicle scored a full 2.00/2 in rescue and extrication.
Child Occupant Protection – 88% (43.52 out of 49)
The Carnival achieved excellent results for child protection. Dynamic frontal and side impact tests both scored full marks (16.00/16 and 8.00/8). Child restraint installation achieved 11.52/12, reflecting ease of use with most restraints. On-board features scored 8.00/13, slightly reducing the total.
Vulnerable Road User Protection – 68% (36.91 out of 54)
The Carnival returned decent scores for pedestrian and cyclist safety, with head impact scoring 15.95/24. Lower and upper leg protection scored 6.00/6 and 2.60/6, respectively, while pelvis protection rated 2.60/6.
Active safety systems contributed positively, with AEB pedestrian scoring 5.80/9 and AEB cyclist 6.56/9. AEB backover, however, was not available on the base variant.
Safety Assist – 82% (13.23 out of 16)
The Carnival’s safety assist suite proved to be a strength. Lane support (3.25/4), junction AEB (2.00/2), and interurban AEB (3.46/4) were all highly rated. The speed assistance system achieved 2.38/3. Seat belt reminders (1.17/2) and occupant status monitoring (1.00/2) left minor room for improvement.
What does ANCAP say about this result?
ANCAP praised Kia for ensuring its hybrid model matched the high safety standards of existing Carnival variants.
“This five-star ANCAP safety rating for the Kia Carnival HEV is a positive result for consumers and fleet buyers looking to balance safety and environmental criteria,” an ANCAP spokesperson said.
The updated crash testing also confirmed the safety integrity of the high-voltage battery system in collision scenarios, an important milestone for electrified people movers.
Who should consider the Kia Carnival Hybrid?
- Families: With excellent adult and child occupant protection, the Carnival Hybrid remains a standout choice for families who prioritise safety in a spacious people mover.
- Fleet buyers: The combination of hybrid efficiency and a five-star safety rating makes it attractive for organisations that balance running costs with their duty of care.
- Eco-conscious buyers: The Carnival HEV provides lower emissions without compromising on protection, appealing to those wanting safer, greener motoring.
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