Kia Carnival

In 2022, Kia replaced the Sedona minivan with the all-new Carnival. The Carnival is perfectly engineered to be the best family hauler that money can buy, for those times when you are not pulling a racecar. It is loaded with tons of great features and touches that make it such a great alternative to many SUVs that people are buying today. Positioned as a versatile family vehicle, the Carnival combines spaciousness, advanced technology, and contemporary design to meet the evolving needs of modern families.

Minivans are a much better option for people who want to haul their family around. A couple may have a sedan when they first get married, but after they have kids, they start to desire more space to haul all of the gear that comes with having kids. They typically look for SUVs since they offer more cargo carrying capacity but minivans are so much better as utility vehicles. The problem is that most people don’t think that a minivan is cool looking, and stay away. They see the SUV as tough and rugged and that is what they want to buy. The Kia designers in California’s design studio realized that and made a minivan that does not look like one. In the process, they made the best looking minivan you can buy.

A great family car is all about features that make daily life easier and the Carnival is full of them. It starts with best in class 168 cubic feet of passenger room and best in class 145 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row. You will notice the space as soon as you fold down the seats and look at the huge area in front of you. Slide-Flex seating for eight-passenger versions of the Kia allow multiple configurations including a sliding second row center seat which, when in the forward-most position, allows the front passenger easy access to the baby or child riding in it.

This seat also converts into a functional table. Our Carnival was the top of the line SX Prestige model with the optional lounge chairs that reclined with leg rests. These are great, but if you want maximum utility stick with the regular seats which can easily be removed if you want to carry large cargo. Another innovative feature is the second row camera which can be accessed through the center screen. Parents can keep an eye on their child in the second row without having to turn around with this function. Kia also added an intercom function that parents can use to talk to the people in the second and third rows.

Accessing the second row is best done through the power sliding side doors. The doors open easily and smoothly and their large size allows one to easily get access. In the higher trim levels, the doors can be opened remotely through the key fob. With a large opening and a low floor, getting in and out is easy for kids or the elderly and is a huge benefit over a large tall SUV.

Driving the Carnival is a pleasure because of the lower center of gravity of the Carnival compared to some SUVs. It feels nimble and is very easy to drive, even if you want to have some fun around corners. While the Carnival is no sports car, it can tackle corners with confidence. Even more important is the feeling of quality through everything that you touch in the Carnival. The buttons and knobs and the materials are all as good, if not better, than many luxury European cars costing twice as much.

All Carnivals have a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood that utilizes a very efficient 12.3:1 compression ratio to squeeze 287 hp on 87 octane fuel. The engine has more than enough power to get the Carnival moving and it feels very quick on its feet. The huge 19-gallon fuel tank is also great for those long family trips and minimizes stops that can wake up the kids. With an EPA highway fuel economy of 26 mpg that translates to almost 500 miles of range.

There are five different trim levels of Carnival and the price varies greatly between them. As is usually the case, the entry level model does not have some important features and the top of the line model has things that you will not use. The entry level model of the Carnival is the LX that starts out at $36,500. Next up is the LXS for $38,500. The EX is the sweet spot with most features that you want at $40,700 while the SX will cost you $45,600 and the top of the line SX Prestige will set you back $50,600.

The Kia Carnival exemplifies Kia’s dedication to innovation, design excellence, and quality in the competitive automotive industry. By integrating advanced technologies, spacious interiors, and stylish aesthetics, the Carnival has positioned itself as a formidable contender in the minivan segment. As consumer preferences evolve toward vehicles that offer versatility, safety, and modern conveniences, the Carnival stands poised to meet and exceed expectations. With its combination of innovative features, appealing design, and market-friendly pricing, the Kia Carnival remains a compelling choice for families and individuals seeking a sophisticated yet practical vehicle solution.

Specifications