A Closer Look at the 2022 Kia Carnival
Kia has turned the corner for 2022 with a new MPV that may be its most capable vehicle of all time. The new Carnival offers features that make it particularly practical for families who enjoy being active and living life to the fullest. Some have asked if it is an SUV, but it’s classified as an MPV with a design that is inspired by the SUV. Our first impression of the new 2022 Kia Carnival drew us in to take a closer look.
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival at a glance
US News reports that the 2022 Kia Carnival is a new model with a minivan platform that looks more like an SUV than a minivan. It’s an attractive and sophisticated vehicle designed for drivers with families and loaded with creature comforts and a suite of safety features. It’s designed for practicality, but Kia built in loads of new technology and luxury features. The Kia Carnival will replace the outgoing Kia Sedona.
Outstanding features
The most outstanding features of the new Carnival include a luxurious cabin designed with ample passenger space and room for cargo. They’ve pulled out all the stops to include all the necessities. It comfortably seats 8 passengers in roomy comfort with seats designed or the ultimate in support. The new Carnival is available with second-row lounge seats upon request.
Pros and cons
Car and Driver points out that the new 2022 Kia Carnival will not be available in an all-wheel-drive option, and it comes with a little less cargo space than its competition, however, the best features of the vehicle are available when ordering the top trim. The Carnival is an entry minivan, but it’s loaded with practical and luxury features.
A closer look at the 2022 Kia Carnival
The new Carnival comes in a choice of trims with all featuring a 3.5-liter V8 engine that generates 290 horsepower. The engine is paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. The LX is the base model with the least amount of features with a starting MSRP of $33,275. The next level up is the LXS retailing at $35,275, followed by the EX at $38,275. The SX will sell for $42,275, with the top-of-the-line trim, the SX Prestige at $47,275.
Standard features
Each new Carnival trim is equipped with a suite of driver assistance features including automated emergency braking. As you move up with trims even more features are included such as upgrades in the display setup with digital gauges, premium navigation equipment, and upgrades to the touchscreen.
Performance
The Carnival will offer a front-wheel-drive for all trims across the board, and there are no plans to offer a hybrid version at this point. What we love about the new Carnival is its refined engine that produces good acceleration. It will move from a standstill to 60 mph in 7 seconds. Fuel economy trumps that of the outgoing Sedona with 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with a combined rating of 22 mpg. The ride is smooth, and the vehicle handles well. It’s easy to drive, and when utility is required, it has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.
The interior
On the inside, the Carnival features leather upholstery in the SX Prestige trim. It also comes with a digital gauge display, a dual-screen infotainment system, and a large center console. The second-row seats recline with pop-up footrests. They’ve designed the Carnival with more legroom than the Sedona for passenger comfort. The wheelbase is slightly larger with ample room behind the third row of seats for cargo. The back seats are foldable to make even more cargo space. There is an optional sunroof available upon request.
Other notable features
An 8-inch infotainment screen, updatable to a 12.3-inch dual-screen version, is available. Standard features are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. You can order a new Carnival with up to 9 USB ports for connectivity and charging compatible devices. The SX offers a 12-speaker Bose stereo system with a rear-seat entertainment system as a standard feature.
Driver assistance and safety
Standard features across all trims include lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. You can upgrade to include adaptive cruise control for an additional cost. Other standard features are blind-spot monitoring and automatic high beam headlamps. The Kia official website includes a few more safety features not previously reported. Safe Exit Assist scans the outside of the vehicle to help alert passengers for any hazards in the area. It sounds like an alarm and may stop the sliding doors from opening when there is an imminent threat in the area. Another standard feature is the Rear Occupant Alert that networks with ultrasonic sensors. It sounds an alarm if there is still an occupant in the van when the driver attempts to exit the vehicle. If there is movement inside the minivan, the system sends a notification to your smartphone. This new technology may help to prevent children from being left inside vehicles. Another standard feature is Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist that also comes with a pedestrian detection feature. Cameras and sensors scan the forward area ahead of the vehicle and provide alerts for potential hazards in the roadway. The system may apply the brakes when there is a risk of collision.
Final thoughts
There is a lot of excitement about the new Kia Carnival that will become available as a 2022 model year. It is the replacement of the outgoing Kia Sedona minivan. It’s a new MVP that looks more like an SUV with an attractive exterior, and comfortable interior, and a reasonable starting price for its class. The Sedona has lived out its life cycle and now it’s time for Kia to retire the model to make room for a new entry-level minivan. The 2022 Carnival will offer the same 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
