The automotive world is buzzing about Kia’s all-new 2022 Carnival, and for good reason. Instead of upgrading their existing Sedona model, they’ve opted to hit the reset button and rebrand it under the name Carnival. This change, however, is only taking place in the US. Everywhere else in the world, Kia has been flying their flagship minivan under the name Carnival for decades. This change is in response to dropping sales for minivans, which people have been passing over in favor of SUVs. As a result, it should come as no surprise that the Carnival resembles a boxy SUV far more than a curvy minivan.
The New 2022 KIA Carnival seems to be Kia’s attempt at combining the best aspects of both an SUV and a minivan. But is the Carnival really just a van in SUV’s clothing? For the most part, yes, but it is that such a bad thing? After all, it’s mostly just the looks of minivans that have put them out of fashion. In appearance, the 2022 Carnival certainly appeals to SUV lovers. It’s boxy, upright, and features the traditional SUV dashboard layout. However, despite vans not being popular, they do offer a lot of benefits, especially for big families. Kia hasn’t forgotten this. It still features the tall structure, sliding doors, and full-sized trunk that make vans some of the most practical vehicles for daily life. There’s plenty more to explore, so let’s dig into the details of this exciting new vehicle.
Features and Specs
The brand new 2022 Kia Carnival SUV comes in five different trims, and each of them have different features. For the most part, the mechanical specs are all the same, but there are some big differences in terms of space, comfort, entertainment, and other miscellaneous features.
The base LX trim sits on 17-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights. It features seating for seven, with standard front and back seats and two captain’s chairs in the middle which can slide or be removed entirely. It also sports keyless entry, push-button start, and remote start. True to its minivan classification, the back doors slide open automatically.
The first upgrade comes in the form of the LXS, which includes an eighth seat in the center of the second row, which can move forward and backward, collapse, or be removed entirely. This version also includes heated front seats and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat with extra lumbar support.
The LXS upgrades are nice, but the EX trim sports even more useful features. For starters, the 19-inch wheels sit noticeably higher than the 17-inch versions in the lower trims. A power tailgate that opens automatically also makes loading things in and out easier. Also included is three-zone climate control and an imitation wood trim on the interior, giving it a unique style upgrade.
The SX trim gets even bigger style upgrades. The 19-inch wheels are solid black and are complemented by an exterior with a satin and matte silver trim. Also included are power folding side view mirrors, roof rails, and two 115V power inverters.
If you’ve got the extra money to spend, the SX Prestige will make you feel like a celebrity when you drive. Fair warning though, while it contains all the other perks from previous trims, it does do away with the eighth seat. Most people probably won’t care, but if you have a big family or regularly round up the neighborhood kids for soccer practice, this might be a problem.
If seven seats are plenty, you’ll be happy to know that those seats are far more luxurious than in other trims. The second row VIP lounge chairs fully recline and are both heated and ventilated. While you lay back, you can enjoy the view through dual power sunroofs. The crown jewel of this model, however, is the real leather interior. It looks and feels incredible. The SX Prestige has another impressive bonus feature, but we’ll get to that in the entertainment specs section.
Every model of the KIA Carnival SUV comes with a host of safety features. No matter which trim you choose, you’ll be treated to forward collision avoidance assistance, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, driver attention warning, rear parking distance warning, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. This is a pretty impressive and comprehensive set of features to come on even the base model. An upgrade to the EX model includes a few more features like cyclist detection, junction turning, and front and rear parking distance warning. The SX model gets topped off with a 360-degree camera system that often comes in handy while parking.
As usual, Kia has one of the best warranties in the automotive industry. They offer a limited warranty which covers five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty which covers 10 years or 100,000 miles. The only downside to Kia’s warranty is that it does not include any complimentary scheduled maintenance. However, the car is built so well that chances are you won’t need them.
Entertainment Specs
Kia has been taking their entertainment features seriously. No matter what model you opt for, the Carnival comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen. If you feel like making an upgrade, you can choose dual 12.3-inch displays that stretch more than halfway across the dashboard. One can work as a gauge display while the other shows infotainment data.
As usual for Kia, Apply CarPlay and Android Auto both come standard. Nobody should have to leave their devices uncharged, because between seven and nine USB ports are spread throughout the cabin depending on the trim. Seven is standard, but the SX and higher feature nine. Should you spring for the SX, a rear-seat entertainment system can keep the kids occupied on long trips. True audiophiles can also spring for a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, which comes only on the top-of-the-line SX-Prestige model.
Mechanical Specs
Every model of the Carnival is powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which can produce up to 290 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission comes standard too. None of the models have all-wheel drive as an option, so you’ll be stuck using front-wheel-drive only. This is technically a minivan, after all. The Carnival can tow nearly 3500 pounds, however, which is pretty impressive. It also rides and handles smoothly. It has a lot of get-up-and-go for a minivan, reaching 60 mph in about 7.0 seconds.
The Carnival’s fuel economy is pretty standard for an SUV, but it edges out the performance of the Telluride slightly. The EPA reported an average of 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. While this isn’t mind-blowing, it isn’t bad considering its space and strength.
Pricing
The starting price of a brand new 2022 Kia Carnival will run you anywhere from $33,555 for the most basic LX trim all the way to $47,555 for the decked-out SX Prestige edition. In between there are three other tiers: the LXS at $35,555, the EX $39,055, and the SX at $42,555.
The best deal is, of course, dependent on your budget, needs, and penchant for luxury, but we think the EX is the most satisfying for your average driver. The bonus tech, style, and comfort features make a big difference, and the price tag is still shy of $40,000. You may not feel like as much of a celebrity, but it’s hardly a terrible compromise.
2022 Carnival vs. 2022 Telluride
Chances are, if you’re considering the Carnival, you’re comparing it to other options in the Kia family. The Carnival may be replacing the Sedona, but the obvious comparison to make is with the Telluride SUV. At first glance, you might be mistaken for thinking the two vehicles are one and the same despite being classified differently.
The two vehicles may share a lot of similarities, including mechanics and efficiency, but we prefer the Carnival overall. Though they are roughly the same size, the Carnival feels better and easier to drive, like a van as opposed to a bus. The interior looks a little more stylish and the seats feel more maneuverable when it comes to sliding things around and making room for cargo. More than anything, the real difference comes with the feeling of the drive. Driving the Carnival simply feels like more of a luxury experience.
Top reasons to buy a 2022 Kia Carnival
The 2022 Kia Carnival is a pretty ideal vehicle for large families who don’t want to sacrifice style for practicality. It combines the functionality and practicality of a minivan with the modern, sleek look of a large three-row SUV. If you need to alternate between hauling people and cargo around, the removable middle row is one of the best available, offering an impressive amount of space that works just as well for large furniture as it does for leg room for taller passengers. There’s a wide variety of choices in prices and specs, making it easy to find the right model for you. While the mechanical specs are nothing outstanding, they’ll get the job done. Considering this is still classified as a minivan, the engine is a cut above many rivals’. Check out our inventory and see if the 2022 Kia Carnival is right for your family.
