2024 Kia Carnival Review: A Minivan That’s Not Afraid To Have Some Fun

The 2024 Kia Carnival is the final of this technology earlier than a styling refresh for 2025 that has already been previewed in South Korea, with North America and different markets world wide to observe. Whereas its mum or dad firm might need been desirous to proceed to maneuver the needle ahead design-wise, the Carnival already stands out from the remainder of the small minivan phase. The place the others carry conventional MPV (multi-purpose automobile) design particulars, the Carnival very deliberately blends some three-row SUV styling into the recipe. 

Past the sheet metallic, Kia has made quite a lot of fascinating decisions concerning the Carnival that each add to and take away from its desirability. The cabin will get a few of the most superior options we’ve seen in a automobile of this class but in addition some that may diminish its versatility. 

To seek out out about all the things that the Carnival needed to provide we took it on a multi-week highway journey packed full of individuals and issues. What we discovered is that this Kia gives numerous persona for the worth. It would even be the assured individual’s remedy for the frequent SUV. 

Fast Information

Trim Ranges

For 2024 the Carnival is out there in 4 trim ranges. They kick off with the LX which will get 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, fabric upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment system, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seating for seven with two second-row captain’s chairs, USB ports in all three rows, and 6 audio system. 

Above that’s the EX which incorporates 19-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch infotainment system however wired Android and Apple connectivity, satellite tv for pc radio, built-in navigation, wi-fi smartphone charging, eight audio system, adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, and entrance parking sensors. 

The SX provides a 12.3-inch driver data show, ventilated entrance seats, LED fog lights, roof rails, a surround-view digicam system, a 115-volt energy outlet, rear automated braking, and a blind-spot digicam system. 

Lastly, the SX Status consists of upgraded LED exterior lighting, LED inside lighting, twin energy sunroofs, a heated steering wheel, leather-based upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and entry to the Seat Package deal with reclining second-row lounge seats that additionally get heating and air flow. That is the trim we have been arrange with throughout our journey. 

Powering The Enjoyable

Each Carnival no matter trim or choices finally ends up coming with the very same powertrain setup. It features a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automated gearbox and front-wheel drive solely. The engine is factory-rated at 290 hp (216 kW) and 262 lb-ft (354 Nm) of torque. That makes it probably the most highly effective MPV in the marketplace, even when simply barely over the Chrysler Pacifica which makes 287 hp (214 kW) and 262 lb-ft of torque respectively. 

In our testing, the Carnival was clean and straightforward to pilot. Visibility out of the entrance is excellent and that makes navigating tight parking heaps straightforward. As well as, the V6 and automated transmission present ample passing energy and quiet operation. 

The pedals present very easy suggestions that’s direct however not overly sharp. The steering wheel is verbose although and that interprets to a bit extra confidence behind the wheel. There may be some physique roll however no extra so than in some other minivan within the phase. In pouring rain the Carnival tracks effectively apart from temporary disconnects with the pavement on the deepest puddles.

We guess it might do even higher on a set of Michelin or Continental tires. The Goodyear set we rode on was nice in all places however within the excessive moist. Would we like to see Kia provide a hybrid or all-wheel drive or each? Completely, however there’s additionally one thing to be stated for the straightforward no-nonsense method right here. 

The EPA says that the Carnival will rise up to 19 mpg within the metropolis and as much as 26 mpg on the freeway. When mixed the score is simply 22 mpg or the identical because the Honda Odyssey. Curiously, we managed to realize 25.2 mpg throughout the entire journey. Granted, the overwhelming majority of these miles have been on the freeway. Even on the town although the Carnival managed 21.4 which means that this MPV is perhaps able to higher figures than its EPA numbers counsel. 

The Cabin Package deal

The Carnival although isn’t solely targeted on gas financial system, dealing with, and even SUV exterior appears to be like. The place it’s persona actually comes out is within the cabin. The SX Status mannequin we drove had all the bells and whistles, and we’ll get to that in a second however even within the base LX, there’s so much we like. We all know as a result of we occurred upon a 2023 Carnival LX proprietor and took a fast peek round their inside too. 

Each profit from an upright seating place and a textured sprint design. Irrespective of the place one sits there may be each headroom and legroom for days within the Carnival and that’s coming from a man who’s 6’6”. The steering wheel options wonderful switchgear with multi-function buttons that look good and really feel good to make use of. The LX had bodily local weather management buttons and knobs that didn’t look pretty much as good because the SX Status however labored nice. 

The door playing cards function numerous plastic however some soft-touch surfaces mitigate that. Relying on trim consumers can find yourself with flat grey plastic or piano black plastic. The rear door playing cards function a number of colours together with a cupholder close to the entrance. A single rear-seat local weather management panel sits above the second-row passenger door. Certain, children may battle over that however they’d if it have been within the center between the seats too, and this fashion the motive force can see what it’s set at with only a fast look. 

Extra: We’re Driving The 2024 Kia Carnival, What Do You Need To Know About It?

Every entrance seat has a USB charging port within the backrest for second-row occupants. Carnivals with three-abreast seating within the second row additionally profit from a center seat that folds down right into a desk with two extra cupholders. 

It was clear early on that consolation was a serious a part of the sport plan within the Carnival. Our tester benefited from leather-based upholstery and contoured entrance seats that felt nice. These coming from a critically high-end SUV may discover a lack of adjustment in comparison with one thing in that phase however they labored nice for me. The second row is the place issues get critically posh however we’ll come again to these. 

Passengers within the third row get a pleasant excessive seat cushion together with their very own local weather vents, lighting, USB cost ports, space for storing, and cup holders. Some fashions additionally profit from rear-seat sunshades and in our case, a second fully-functional sunroof. The third row additionally reclines and has extendable headrests. 

It’s additionally part of what makes the Carnival such a succesful and sensible automobile. With the third row in place, there are 40.3 cubic ft of cargo area within the very again. Most of that storage is vertical in nature due to an excellent deep effectively the place the seats stow when not in use. For just a little perspective, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L has 44.2 cubic ft, and the traditional Wagoneer has simply 27.4 cubic ft. It’s additionally significantly greater than you’ll get within the Odyssey (33 cu-ft), Sienna (34 cu-ft), and Pacifica (32 cu-ft). 

Intuitive And Un-Intuitive Infotainment

The infotainment system is the place the Carnival actually goals excessive and for probably the most half, hits its mark. The twin widescreen setup we had in our check automobile appears to be like incredible and is fast to answer touches. One long-time minivan proprietor particularly commented on how impressed he was with how briskly the system was and the way intuitive some options have been. For instance, a quiet mode strikes all sound to the entrance audio system in order that the remainder of the household can nap quietly within the again. 

An inside digicam permits entrance passengers to actively see what’s happening within the second and third rows and it even works at night time time. The digital gauge cluster is nice too due to clear easy-to-read dials and some snazzy options like blind-spot shows. When the motive force prompts the flip sign, the dial on that facet of the automobile turns into an lively digicam view of the blind spot. It’s extremely useful and really helpful in a automobile so long as the Carnival. 

We additionally had a rear seat infotainment system which had its ups and downs. Firstly, the screens look nice and include quite a lot of installable apps like Twitch, YouTube, and Netflix. There’s even a child theme with Child Shark Songs and Video games. A USB port on the facet permits customers to easily plug in their very own content material and luxuriate in it that method with out an web connection. 

The system loses its shine just a little with regards to display sharing although. Over quite a lot of assessments with completely different web connections and completely different streaming companies, we seen a constant diminishing of video high quality when sharing the content material from one display to the opposite. Notably, Kia particularly warns customers that display sharing might degrade video high quality however we have been stunned to see it occur in each occasion for us. We’re not speaking about 4k to 1080p both. Assume extra alongside the traces of 1080p to 240p. 

One different slight frustration was the built-in navigation system. As soon as the right vacation spot was set, it was nice. It’s straightforward to observe, makes well-timed ideas, and by no means put us right into a sticky state of affairs. The difficulty was getting the proper vacation spot enter. Whereas typing within the vacation spot the system will auto-suggest quite a lot of locations it thinks you need to go. Sadly, it’s removed from intuitive and virtually completely set locations that have been in far-flung cities or states versus one thing close by. 

Let’s Discuss About These Second-Row Seats

Most minivans include a second-row bench seat or one thing comparable. This Kia usually comes with three-abreast seating however there’s a particular choice one can choose solely on the SX Status known as the “Seat Package deal.” It unlocks one thing that’s uncommon throughout the complete automotive market, not simply the minivan phase. 

That stated, the Carnival is the one minivan on the American market accessible with something like the luxurious lounge seats we examined. These aren’t simply second-row captain’s chairs, they’re precisely what they sound like. When absolutely engaged they lay virtually flat and permit for most people beneath 6’ to recline as in the event that they have been in a spa chair someplace.

There are supportive multi-position armrests and absolutely extendable leg rests too. Did we point out that they’re additionally heated and ventilated? In fact, this isn’t a 30’-long automobile so having this type of second-row luxurious comes with some tradeoffs. 

Firstly, lounging in type means critically diminishing if not altogether eliminating room for third-row passengers. Secondly, the seats aren’t detachable so don’t get any concepts about eradicating the second and third rows to show this into an enormous cargo-hauling machine. Thirdly, they don’t slide all the best way ahead and out of the best way rapidly or simply so attending to the third row typically requires going between the 2 lounge seats. 

Lastly, even when there’s room to make use of these second-row seats, their precise operation is considerably clunky. Kia even included a particular instruction card to make clear the way to use them. Two pull handles on the skin of the seat enable the seat to slip ahead and backward in addition to left and proper. They have to be positioned towards the middle to make use of the lounge function. That eliminates the power to journey between them to get to the third row. 

Once more, it’s value noting that these seats aren’t normal, even on the SX Status. As an alternative, they’re accessible for many who particularly need them on the top-end Carnival, and in that gentle we expect they’re nice. They, like the remainder of this MPV, aren’t excellent however they’re stuffed with persona, provide one thing particular, and really feel nice when in use. 

Closing The Door On The Carnival

The Carnival is an fascinating alternative in its phase. It’s not probably the most fuel-efficient, it’s not probably the most progressive, and it’s not accessible with a hybrid engine or all-wheel drive. However, it’s a robust contender. It gives distinctive worth for cash, the inside is enticing and interesting, and a few of its options like blind-spot digicam views, sharp dealing with, and even the luxurious lounge seats make it stand out. 

On high of that, Kia gives a five-year, 60,000-mile restricted guarantee and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee on it. That’s for much longer than what some other model gives, although Honda and Toyota do provide as much as two years of complimentary upkeep. Evaluate the Carnival to any three-row automobile within the USA together with SUVs and it’s much more compelling for the kind of driving that the overwhelming majority of oldsters do. No automobile is ideal however not less than the Carnival has persona for days.