Replacing the Sedona as Kia's minivan offering in 2022, the Carnival eschews typical minivan looks, but still packs all of the features like dual sliding doors, reclining second-row captain's chairs and a spacious interior. Competitors include the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna.
Trim levels include the LX, EX, SX and SX Prestige. All get a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic that drives the front wheels. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, when properly equipped.
Carnivals range in price from $35,000 to $48,000. All get dual power-sliding rear side doors. The LX comes standard with seating for 7 passengers. An 8-passenger seating package is optional on LX and standard on EX and SX. Optional on the SX are second-row lounge chairs that are power adjustable and have footrests. Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with brake intervention, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, safe-exit assist, rear-parking sensors, and driver-attention warning.
The Carnival's V6 engine provides adequate acceleration around town and acceptable passing punch. However, it's not the liveliest engine in the group, providing a 0 to 60 MPH time of about 8.5 seconds. Add a few passengers and cargo and progress slows further. Still, it's smooth and mates well with the 8-speed automatic.
From a fuel economy standpoint, Carnival mirrors the 22 MPG combined ratings of the Pacifica and Odyssey but falls well short of the hybrid-powered Sienna. Like all the vehicles in the class, Carnival runs fine on regular-grade gasoline. In routine commuting expect to average about 23 MPG, unless you throw in some highway cruising, which adds a MPG or two to that number. The 19-gallon fuel tank provides ample highway cruising range.
As you might expect from a minivan, Carnival favors ride comfort and isolation over handling prowess. This means lots of body lean in quick changes of direction and a fair amount of brake squat in hard stops. There's enough control in the suspension to quell secondary motions, though. The result is a smooth and comfortable ride that's just about perfect for putting the kids to sleep on the long ride home from grandma's house.
The steering is void of feel, but it tracks true on the highway and is quick enough in parking lot maneuvering. Brakes seem to have good stopping power and the pedal is easy to modulate. Interior noise levels are low though the tires tend to rumble on concrete expressways.
The most important aspect of any minivan is the interior and Kia has crafted a nearly perfect cocoon for the modern family. From safety, to comfort, to technology, the Carnival has it all. It starts with a driver-friendly dash that's modern in appearance and very functional. Large digital displays dominate, but the layout is also home to traditional buttons and knobs. Materials are upscale and modern.
The front seats are chair-like and comfortable with lots of adjustments and available heating and cooling. Head and leg room are also good. Second row seating options include captain's chairs, a three-place bench or unique lounge chairs that can be adjusted for-and-aft and can fully recline with foot rests. One drawback is that to be reclined, the seats must be moved rearward and to the center. Still, they are by far, the most comfortable seats in any minivan. Again, head and leg room in good the second row. The third-row seats are somewhat short and lack knee space for true adult comfort. Some other minivans offer a bit more room in the back row.
With a low step-in and wide-opening doors, getting in and out is easy for first and second-row passengers. The third row takes a bit of gymnastics but is reasonably accessible. Visibility is exceptional in all directions.
From a technology standpoint, Carnival has mostly hit all the marks. Carnival offers an impressive array of standard safety features and the driver aids work as advertised. The only thing missing is wireless support for Android Auto or Apple Car Play in uplevel trim packages. That's something that is likely to change as Kia updates software in the future.
One area where Carnival excels is in cargo capacity. There is 40 cubic feet behind the third-row seat and up to 145 cubic feet with the third row down and the second-row bench seat removed. In the 8-passenger configuration, the removable second-row bench is divided into three sections that slide. The third-row seats fold flat into the floor. Interior storage is good, with lots of open cubbies and bins throughout and lots of USB ports for charging.
Bottom Line -- New name or not, the Carnival continues to offer Kia's signature blend of value, features and drivability. Compared feature-for-feature, Carnival is consistently the most affordable choice in the class. Not only that, the new Carnival impresses with solid build quality, impressive interior materials, and a robust drivetrain. Throw in Kia's 10-year/100,000-miles powertrain warranty and you have all the makings of a winner.
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