While it’s hard to disguise the long tubular design of a minivan, Kia mostly succeeds with a stylish new nose and some satin aluminum cladding on its C-pillar. Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Mark Savage From nose to tail the Kia Carnival looks high-class. Tires: Continental CrossContact RX, 235/55R-19 101H M+S Its EPA combined fuel-economy estimate is 22 mpg, which matches the Odyssey and nonhybrid Pacifica but pales in comparison to the hybrid-only Sienna's 36 mpg in front-wheel-drive form.įront-engine, front-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door vanĭOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injectionīrakes (F/R): 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-inch disc The lack of a single powertrain option may be a bummer to some, as the Kia comes only with front-wheel drive and doesn't offer a hybrid option like the Toyota and the Chrysler. The eight-speed automatic transmission executes prompt downshifts, making the Carnival feel responsive when merging or passing on the highway. Even better is the V-6's refined demeanor, as it's quiet and smooth yet makes a nice noise in the upper parts of the rev range when pushed. It powered the Carnival to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, quicker than all-wheel-drive versions of the Sienna and Pacifica and just half a second behind the group's drag racer, the Odyssey. It's a good match for this 4644-pound van. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 good for 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The Carnival tops the Sienna, Pacifica, and Odyssey in both skidpad grip (0.82 g) and braking distance from 70 mph (173 feet). We liked the brake-pedal feel much better than the hybrid Sienna's. Its steering is properly weighted, and the suspension tuning strikes just the right ride balance, neither pillowy nor firm. The driver's seat of the Carnival is the place to be, as this van rides and handles well. Okay, enough about the stuff in the back. Vans usually ace our ping-pong ball storage test, but the Kia fell short of the Toyota in this realm, with storage space for just 37 percent of the balls we could stuff into the Sienna's bins. It has a perfectly acceptable number of cupholders and console compartments, but the new Sienna has more shelves, cubbies, and storage solutions than an IKEA. The Carnival's interior storage isn't quite as generous as what you'll find in other minivans. LOWS: Lack of interior storage, disappointing optional lounge seats, no hybrid or all-wheel drive available. Third-row space and comfort are good you won't find a three-row crossover that accommodates adults in the wayback nearly as well as a minivan. We'd pass on the La-Z-Boy chairs in favor of the lesser trim levels' more conventional seven-passenger captain's-chair setup or eight-passenger arrangement that adds a middle seat in the second row. With heating and cooling and an ottoman for your feet, these power-operated chairs are opulent but impractical, as they're heavy to slide around, have clunky adjustment controls, aren't really all that comfortable, and aren't removable. Plus, the top SX Prestige model's recliner-style VIP Lounge second-row captain's chairs aren't as appealing as you'd think. Kia's form-over-function approach inside is questionable in a kid hauler, though, and we do wonder how that nice leather and all the shiny gloss-black plastic trim will hold up to abuse from children over time. Our Kia Carnival Proved Useful and Luxurious.We don't fully buy into Kia's assertion that it looks more like an SUV than a van, but as minivan aficionados we like the unapologetically boxy shape. The textured grille makes a strong first impression, and the interesting shiny C-pillar trim is an upscale touch.

After the Pacifica's mid-cycle refresh, the Kia is a contender for best-looking van. Not only does the Carnival have a new name and Kia's attractive new logo, its design looks fresh and modern. Kia's Sedona minivan has never been a major player here, but the new 2022 Carnival that's launching into this competitive arena is looking to change that. And the Chrysler Pacifica comes with freakin' throw pillows in its top trim. The Honda Odyssey drives better than most SUVs we can think of. The new Toyota Sienna is a 30-plus-mpg hybrid with optional all-wheel drive. The few minivans that remain are at the top of their game. And ignore the fact that General Motors, Ford, Nissan, and many others have exited the minivan segment. Don't be distracted by all the three-row crossovers crowding your feed.

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