Keywaylock
English
English Spanish Portuguese
MENU
  • Transport
  • Truck
  • SUV
  • New Energy
  • Minivan
  • coupe
Home > Minivan > Test drive: The 2022 Kia Carnival is a minivan in disguise

Test drive: The 2022 Kia Carnival is a minivan in disguise

The 2022 Kia Carnival is a minivan that tries really hard not to be one, says Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Kia is hoping you’ll celebrate the launch of its new minivan, but not call it that.

The 2022 Carnival replaces the Sedona in the lineup and Kia prefers to refer to it as multi-purpose vehicle so your kids aren’t mortified, I guess.

The 2022 Kia Carnival is called a multi-purpose vehicle(Kia)

Unfortunately for them, the fact is that it’s about the same size as a Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager and has sliding doors and a deep cargo area behind its third row, so it is very much a minivan.

Its styling is boxier than any of those to give it more of an SUV look, however, and it has a pair of dashing chrome panels on the sides that act as shiny sideburns to add some unexpected flair.

(Kia)

Inside, the driver will appreciate a low window line that offers great forward visibility and a modern dashboard with dual widescreen digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The center stack is filled with auxiliary controls, many of which are touchpads that continue the contemporary look, but are finickier to use than the traditional buttons they replace.

(Kia)

Despite matching up well on paper, the cabin feels a little snugger than the competition, especially in the third row. Prices range from $33,275 to $47,770 for the top of the line SX Prestige I tested that adds a pair of power reclining "VIP" second-row captain’s chairs that can be pushed inboard and back for maximum legroom if there’s no one seated behind. They don’t flip and fold like the standard seats, however, so passengers need to squeeze through the middle aisle to reach the waybacks.

(Kia)

A dual-screen rear entertainment system is also included that's able to mirror what’s on a smartphone and stream live video from built-in apps like Netflix, Twitch and YouTube Kids.

Parents can keep an eye on things with via a rear seat video monitor with night vision and communicate through an intercom system that amplifies their voice. A motion-sensing detection system can also warn if you’ve left anyone behind in the vehicle and another can check for traffic and prevent the rear doors from opening until it passes by.

Test drive: The 2022 Kia Carnival is a minivan in disguise

(Kia)

Getting into traffic is no problem with a 290 hp V6 that’s the strongest in this small class, outgunning the Chryslers by a whopping three hp. Its 22 mpg combined fuel economy rating also equals the Pacifica/Voyager's and Odyssey's, but falls short of the hybrid-only Sienna’s 36 mpg rating. It’s also only available with front-wheel-drive, but can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The Carnival is based on the same platform as the Kia K5 sedan and Sorento SUV and definitely has better ride quality and handling that a traditional minivan, but still feels its size.

To help manage that, it gets the same range of electronic driver aids as Kia’s top SUV models, including a 360-degree parking camera, automatic emergency braking, blind spot video monitors that pop up in the instrument cluster and Kia’s Highway Driving Assistant, which holds the vehicle smack in the center of the lane, but requires a hand to remain on the wheel.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Carnival may not be the party bus that its name implies, but it is dressed better than the rest and should make a pretty good entrance on the parental red carpet that is the school pickup line.

----------

2022 Kia Carnival

Base price: $33,275

As tested: $47,770

Type: 7-8 passenger front-wheel-drive minivan

Engine: 3.5L V8

Power: 290 hp, 262 lb-ft

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

MPG: 19 city/26 hwy

  • Keywaylock
  • 05/03/2023
  • 1327 Views
Related Articles
Sponsored Content Sponsored Content |
Sponsored: The 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige Edition Minivan
Sponsored Content Sponsored Content | Sponsored: The 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige Edition Minivan

10/04/2023 ,4177 Views

The Bottom Line: Who is Kia? Kia Corporation was founded in May 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. From humble beginnings making bicycles and motorcycles, Kia has grown to be p...

Let’s Take a Look Inside the 2022 Kia Carnival
Let’s Take a Look Inside the 2022 Kia Carnival

09/04/2023 ,4053 Views

Replacing the Sedona minivan (although Kia prefers the less mommy-mobile name MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle), the 2022 Kia Carnival is brand-new this year. It may not be called a minivan, and it has a...

2022 Kia Carnival SX Review: Vans Are Cool, Y’all
2022 Kia Carnival SX Review: Vans Are Cool, Y’all

08/04/2023 ,1663 Views

Design | Comfort | Technology | Performance | Safety | Fuel Economy | PricingKia is no stranger to minivans, selling the US-market Sedona over three generations since its...

Most Popular
  • SUV and Pickup Truck Drivers More Likely to Hit Pedestrians When Turning, IIHS Study Finds
  • Best Car Covers for 2022
  • 2023 BMW X7 Facelift Arrives With A New Look, Added Power
  • Sponsored Content Sponsored Content | Sponsored: The 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige Edition Minivan
  • Solar Rollers competition teaches Summit students how to build and race remote-controlled cars Support Local Journalism
  • Ford’s base $40,000 F-150 Lightning electric pickup gets 230-miles of EPA range and 68 MPGe Guides
  • James Ruppert: Bargain barnstormers that will take you anywhere
Back to Top

Copyright © 2023 keywaylock.net. All rights reserved.