2022 Kia Carnival Review

When it comes to a Kia Carnival Review, it is only fitting to start off with how big it is. After all, that’s the entire point of a three-row ride. It needs to have enough space to take care of many passengers.

In this case, the passenger volume is 168 cubic feet. That’s bigger than the Toyota Sienna (162.5 cu ft), the Honda Odyssey (163.6 cu ft), or the Chrysler Pacifica (165 cu ft).

How does this space get used? On the second row, the rider claims 40.5 inches of legroom. The third row claims 35.6 inches of legroom. As Forbes notes, this surpasses the previous 3rd-row leader, the Volkswagen Atlas.

In addition, the cargo hold has 40.2 cu feet. If you need more, the third row folds flat to give you 86.9 cubic feet. With the second-row folding bench or regular captain’s chairs, you can claim up to 145.1 cu ft of space.

What does MPV mean? Well, the Carnival is truly a multi-purpose vehicle. That’s why it has higher ground clearance and crossover-like proportions.

At the curb, it has enough athletic features, such as its muscular wheel arches, to be mistaken for an SUV. Furthermore, 2022 Carnival MPV SX models have skid plates. The minivan has 6.8 inches of ground clearance, making it more like a 3-row SUV than the typical van.

Designers modernized the tiger nose grille and added dramatic lines to the hood. There are sleeker taillamps, and the mirrors have a two-tone color. High-tech LED lights finish off the design with their contemporary feel.

This is one minivan that actually has curb appeal. At Car & Driver, writers praise the upscale SUV vibe.

Everything about the Carnival is new. Engineers left the Kia Sedona behind and started from scratch. The result is a posh cabin with the spaciousness and features to make the whole package worthwhile.

The LX trim seats 7 in the traditional 2-2-3 layout. This trim has extensive safety and dash technologies. Rear seat air conditioning helps ensure everyone stays cool. Power-sliding doors make it easy for kids to come and go.

Kia has designed the second row’s sliding seats to be reversible and removable for extra cargo space. They have an easy-entry feature to let kids into the third row. The available slide-flex feature allows the middle seat to slide forward toward parents.

Bigger families may choose the LX Seat package .This has the 8-person layout of 2-3-3. It also has a power-adjustable driver’s chair. Both front seats have power-heat adjustments.

Higher Trim Levels

For a more comfortable cabin, the EX has SynTex upholstery and tri-zone automatic climate controls. This 8-seat trim comes with a wireless charging pad and a hands-free liftgate. Two rows of sunshades can protect the kids. Plus the driver gets a power chair and smart cruise control.

Stepping up to the SX trims, a Phoenix AZ driver will love the ventilated front seats. This also adds a power-adjustable passenger seat. SynTex color choices include an off-black or a two-tone that adds Saddle Brown to the mix.

At the top of the trim ladder, the SX Prestige has luxurious leather upholstery and Kia’s exciting dual sunroofs. Second row seats can be upgraded to special VIP lounge chairs. This adds ventilated power-adjustable seats for second-row passengers. It also adds foot rests and comfort wing-out headrests.

Performance, Handling and Ride Quality

Ready for any challenges, this 3-row ride has a 3.5-liter V6. Handled by an 8-speed automatic transmission, output is 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. This front-wheel drive minivan earns 26 mpg on the highway.

As Car and Driver noted, this van can do the 0-60 mph sprint in 7 seconds, a good time for a big rig. Plus, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds, demonstrating its strength. You’ll have to test drive it to see if this rate of power is enough for you.

Reviewers at Motor Trend and Car & Driver have noted its handling. Drivers will discover that it stays composed in corners with its well-balanced chassis and smooth riding suspension. Indeed this is a van that offers a smooth ride quality to its passengers.

The posh cabin has excellent insulation against noise and vibration. The standard acoustic-treated windshield helps absorb sound.

Technology

The standard touch screen is an excellent 8-inch model. This device lets you find entertainment and information via its built-in standard features or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

At its most equipped, the Kia Carnival MPV 2022 models have a large panoramic screen. It consists of a 12.3-inch touchscreen matched to a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Navigation informs the driver while also informing the adaptive cruise control. The Bose audio system has 12 speakers for awesome sound.

One advantage of the Kia touchscreen system is its quiet mode. When drivers want to enjoy their own music without disturbing sleeping children, they can silence the second and third row speakers.

Child-Friendly and Parent-Friendly Features

Standard on the EX and higher trims, Kia has an intercom system that lets parents talk to the kids on the third row. This prevents the driver from turning around, but it allows for easy interactions.

Likewise there is a rear-passenger view camera that lets parents check on squirming kids or sleeping toddlers. It even has a nighttime capability so you can always know what’s happening on the third row.

A safe exit system tries to prevent kids from stepping out into traffic. A rear occupant alert warns caregivers to check for sleeping children before departing.

Safety, Driver Assistance, and Parking Aids

Safety is a priority for the 2022 Kia Carnival MPV. Nine airbags include front, front-side, rear-side, full-length curtain, and a knee bag.

When you add up all of the ways that the Kia Carnival tries to keep itself out of trouble, you’ll start to understand how it will reduce stress for a parent in the driver’s seat. Forward collision warnings are backed up by an autobrake. It detects slowing vehicles, objects or pedestrians. EX trims expand the system with features that can detect cyclists or react to junction turning.

Other Kia Drive Wise standards include assists for leading vehicle departure, lane following, and lane keeping. It also includes a driver attention warning, a blind spot monitor, and a blind spot-activated emergency brake.

The EX also has navigation based smart cruise control and the semi-automated Highway Driving Assist. SX Prestige models expand the blind spot system to include a camera which projects the scene to the dash when you indicate it with your blinker.

Parking Standards and Available Features

A standard rear cross traffic alert lets you know when traffic is coming from the side and can now brake the vehicle. The blind spot monitor adds more awareness during parallel parking to help you avoid a scrape.

Rear parking sensors are standard to help drivers avoid hitting obstacles. EX trims add forward sensors to the list of parking safety features. Standard on the SX, rear view avoidance assist can stop the vehicle when obstacles are directly behind it. Also, the rearview camera is upgraded to a 360-degree parking camera.

With so much assistance, it’s as if the Carnival is helping keep its beautiful exterior free of dents, dings and scratches. A test drive at your Earnhardt Kia Dealer lets you decide for yourself if the 2022 Kia Carnival is right for you.