The SX model’s child-safety seat accommodations are also family-friendly. Cool and useful!Ģ022 Kia Carnival SX | photo by Christian Lantry It sounds similar to the 2021 Honda Odyssey’s Magic Slide system, but with a twist: In the Carnival, you can fold down the middle seat to convert it to a table with cupholders. There are three seats that slide forward and back and recline independent of each other you can slide the middle seat forward, for example, so it’s easier for a front-seat passenger to reach a belted child. My SX test model came with the Slide-Flex system that makes the second row more flexible. The Carnival is available in LX, EX, SX and SX-Prestige trims and offers two different second-row seating configurations - one that’s roomy and versatile, and one families should skip. The Pacifica and Sienna are also available with all-wheel drive (the Carnival is front-wheel drive only). My biggest complaint here is a lack of choice: Chrysler offers a plug-in hybrid Pacifica that delivers much better fuel efficiency, and the 2021 Toyota Sienna hybrid also offers impressive efficiency. It’s EPA-rated at 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined - close to the 2021 Pacifica and Odyssey’s 19/28/22 mpg ratings. The Carnival’s estimated fuel economy is similar to key rivals, but here, too, there’s room for improvement. The Pacifica does a better job delivering a more comfortable ride and handling balance along with better maneuverability.
In terms of ride, the Carnival remains composed over smaller bumps, but larger ones unsettle it with impact harshness shimmying and vibrating the cabin. The Carnival’s steering tuning doesn’t help a light, uncommunicative steering wheel makes for a numb, disconnected driving experience.Ģ022 Kia Carnival | photo by Christian Lantry It careens over bumps and through turns with roller-coaster-esque dips and floatiness, and exhibits a lot of body lean in corners. The Carnival’s soft suspension tuning makes for less than graceful handling. The drivetrain never felt lacking even fully loaded with my family of five. The sole engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 good for 290 horsepower it pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers brisk, no-nonsense shifts and smooth power delivery. Related: Ferris Wheels and Cotton Candy? Not Quite, But Here Are 5 Takeaways for the 2022 Kia Carnival Roller Coaster RideĬolor me surprised by the Carnival’s responsiveness - it’s quick, and not just for a minivan. Kia may call the Carnival a “multipurpose vehicle,” but it’s actually a minivan that competes with the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. It also debuts the brand’s new badge, a sleeker and more fluid version of the previous Kia logo. Wait, what’s the Carnival? Kia reinvented its Sedona as the Carnival for 2022, ditching the previous version’s obvious minivan styling for a more blocky, SUV-like look.
It also comes up short against the Chrysler Pacifica’s blend of utility, technology and driving refinement. Versus the competition: The Carnival’s new convenience goodies and affordable price make it more competitive, but other minivans have more powertrain options. Ride and handling issues, however, make the Carnival just short of magical. The verdict: Parents usually have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to carting kids around, and the 2022 Kia Carnival adds a few more much-needed features that make it less of a chore.
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