One of Australia's most affordable people-movers, the Kia Carnival, is now available for a limited time with up to $5,400 worth of extra equipment at no extra cost to put you even further ahead of the competition.

The limited edition Kia Carnival Sports pack is available until the end of September on all 2007-build Kia Carnivals and Grand Carnivals, excluding Premium and Platinum models.

The no-cost Carnival Sports pack includes side steps, nudge bar, 16" alloys, steering wheel audio controls, Sports badges, 5-year roadside assistance and free on-road costs, as well as free automatic transmission on short-wheelbase Carnival EX models (standard on all other models).

"Kia Carnival's low running costs and overall affordability have been clearly recognised by people-mover buyers across the country and have helped the Kia Carnival range of people movers achieve a one-third share of the market," said Bill Gillespie, Director of Sales and Marketing at Kia Motors Australia.

"The limited edition Carnival Sports pack, available during August and September, adds free automatic transmission and a range of additional features at no extra cost. Carnival Sports really puts buyers ahead of the competition."

According to the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria's (RACV) annual survey of vehicle operating costs, the Kia Carnival is the most affordable people mover to own and run. Carnival's win in the 2008 RACV survey mirrored its performance in the 2006 and 2007 surveys.

The RACV's Vehicle Operating Costs survey showed that it would cost an average of $229.90 per week over five years to run a Kia Carnival EX auto.

The survey calculations were based on a five-year/75,000 km ownership period and took into account standing costs that include depreciation, loan interest costs, registration, licensing, insurance and RACV membership. It also considered operating costs such as fuel, tyres and servicing.

The Kia Carnival continues to be recognised as one of the safest people movers around the world, proven by the five-star crash safety rating of the Grand Carnival (known as the Sedona in the USA) from the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and ‘Top Safety Pick' honour from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.