Road Test: 2022 Kia Carnival SX

Goodbye To the Minivan

Kia is out of the minivan business and is shaking up things with the all-new 2022 Carnival. The Korean car company will remind you it is not a minivan but an MPV or Multi-Purpose Vehicle. With those words it hopes to remove the stigma of people saying “I will never own a minivan.”

In a world where SUVs and crossovers are the rage, the number of minivans sold each year have dropped to where they are about two percent of all light vehicles sold. So why do Kia, Honda, Toyota and Chrysler continue to make these boxy people movers? Simple. Those in-the-know are in on the best secret found right in front of everyone–there is no better vehicle on the market that can transport up-to eight people in comfort, convenience and style. So, how to change opinions and misconceptions about minivans? For Kia, it meant replacing its light-selling Sedona minivan with the attractive 2022 Carnival.

Drivetrain

Clean Fleet Report drove the 2022 Kia Carnival SX with the 3.5-liter V6 and the eight-speed automatic transmission, which is the only combination offered on the four different Carnival trim levels of LX, EX, SX and SX Prestige. Driving the front wheels, all-wheel drive is not offered, the engine puts out 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.

The EPA rates the fuel economy at 19 mpg city/26 highway/22 combined. In 236 miles of driving through Southern California, and using the adaptive cruise control when on the freeway, we averaged 26.7 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.

To aid in fuel economy, the Carnival’s adaptive cruise control is navigation-based and has a stop-and-go feature, where the engine shuts off when coming to a stop and restarts automatically. The next step for the Carnival is for it to have the efficient hybrid system from the 2021 Kia Sorento. That would give it fuel economy on par with the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna, which are both hybrids, although the Pacifica retains the edge as the only minivan that can plug in.

Driving Experience: On the Road

At 4,601 pounds, the Carnival  maneuvered very well with little body roll, or side-to-side shifting unless pushed hard around tight corners. The Carnival’s seven-inch ground clearance with the Continental CrossContact 235/55 all-season touring tires on 19-inch machine finished black alloy wheels, helps it handle as well or better than full size SUVs. At freeway speeds road imperfections were absorbed without any jolts, delivering an overall stable and comfortable ride. The Carnival has a tow rating of 3,500 pounds.

To get the most performance from the engine there are driver selectable choices of Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport. Eco is best used on long stretches of flat or gently sloping roads to squeeze-out every last drop of fuel, but in this setting the acceleration and air conditioning are reduced in favor of saving fuel. The Smart drive mode offers nearly the same efficiency as Eco, but with better acceleration and no reduction in the air conditioning function. The best performance comes in Sport, where it holds the transmission in each rev band a bit longer, sending more available torque to the wheels. Using the Sport mode we had 0-60 times of 7.2 seconds, which was plenty fast for entering freeways and passing big rigs. Engine noise was minimal with a nice throaty sound when tromping on the right pedal.

Stops were solid and consistent with a power-assisted braking system consisting of vented front and solid rear discs, as part of the anti-lock brake system with electric stability control.

Exterior Styling: SUV or Minivan?

The design of the all-new 2022 Carnival is unique, causing a double-take–is it an SUV or a minivan? Kia has been crafty in its design, incorporating both traditional SUV and minivan design cues in an appealing look.

The long hood, with the new stylized KIA logo, is fronted by a wide grille, which is framed by distinctive projector LED headlamps where the low and bright beams are separate bulbs. Fog lights lie in the outer edges of the lower fascia, and the daytime running lights and turn signals share a stylized accent strip. The matte chrome grille is a series of small, rectangular blocks that form a concave shape and is unique to the Carnival.

From the side, the hood, windows and roof make the Carnival look longer than it feels when driving. The Carnival is about the same size as the three other minivans on the market, accommodating up-to eight passengers. The Ceramic Silver exterior paint was complimented by a textured surface silver C pillar, and the blacked-out alloy wheels.

The rear features a hands-free power lift gate with an integrated spoiler and a hidden rear window wiper. The lower fascia has a chrome skid plate-like design element, and a reflector strip separates the LED tail lights on the lift gate.

Interior: Space To Spread-out

Thanks to sound deadening material placed between the cabin and engine, solar and acoustic glass on the windshield and side windows, and the optional carpeted floor mats, the cabin in the 2022 Carnival was pleasantly quiet. The fit and finish of the Carnival’s cabin rivals what we have seen in premium vehicles.

The supportive and comfortable front seats were heated and ventilated, with the driver having eight-way power adjustments including lumbar and memory. The front passenger gets eight-way power adjustments, but no memory or lumbar. It does have power switches on the inboard side of the seatback to move the seat out of the way when entering the second row. Combine the multiple seat adjustments with the manual tilt and telescoping steering column, and the driver will have no problem finding a comfortable driving position.

Clean Fleet Report’s Carnival SX, with a Tuscan Umber and black interior, had eight seats covered in Syn Tex artificial leather. The power sliding doors on each side provide wide access to the rear of the Carnival. The sliding second row seats recline and are removable, and are part of a three-part system that has a table with a tray area and cup holders when the second row center seat is folded. The outer two seats weigh 67 pounds each (the center seat a bit less), so it takes some effort to move them around. But when removed, and with the third row seats tucked nicely into the floor, the cargo space is impressive and generous, for luggage or other cargo, including being able to accommodate a 4X8 piece of plywood.

The Carnival SX has second row USB ports, an AC 115V plug outlet, and a 12V accessory plug, cup holders, fold down center arm rest, adjustable climate controls and air vents and side window shades. The dual screen entertainment system, located on the backside of the front seats, was standard on the SX trim.

The wide design of the Carnival made for excellent second row leg, head and shoulder room. The 60/40 split-folding and reclining third row, also offered good leg and head room, even for up-to a six footer. In most three row SUVs the rear most seat is considered an emergency seat, as in to be used when out-of-town guests stop by and everyone needs to get in one vehicle for a trip to a restaurant. This is not so with the Carnival SX as the third row, with USB ports, side window shades, and cup holders is a pleasant place to ride.

Sounds and Tunes

The interior solitude made for fine listening to the standard audio system (a Bose 12-speaker system is optional), which was easy to use, as it met Clean Fleet Report’s minimum requirement for being driver-friendly with channel and volume knobs. This powerful and great sounding audio system had eight speakers with a tweeter and surround sound. Our Carnival SX came with a 12.3-inch color display with navigation and a multi-view camera. Sounds came from the AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio (90-day trial), Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The listening suite was completed with Bluetooth streaming audio and USB ports. After the easy process to pair a mobile phone, the voice recognition for hands-free telephone dialing worked perfectly.

Make sure to check out the Sounds of Nature, where you can listen to calming and soothing sounds of Snowy Village, Lively Forest, Calm Sea Waves, Rainy Day, Open Air Café, and Warm Fireplace. Ahhhh.

The UVO telematics allow for remote setting of the climate control, locking and unlocking the doors, Find My Car and other convenience features.

Clean Fleet Report’s Carnival SX came with soft-touch materials on the dash, door panels and center armrest that were complemented by attractive satin chrome and black high gloss trim. The gauges have a simple layout, starting with the deep-set analog tachometer and speedometer that are easy-to-read with white lettering on a black background. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel has audio, telephone and cruise controls.

Adding to the interior comfort and convenience was wireless charging, push button start, tri-zone automatic climate control, power windows with one-touch up/down, power door locks, power heated outside mirrors with turn indicators, carpeted floor mats and a rearview mirror with Homelink.

Safety and Convenience

Technology abounds as the 2022 Carnival comes with front, front seat-mounted, first row side, driver knee, and full-length side curtain air bags. The Drive Wise advanced driver assist system (ADAS) includes forward collision warning and avoidance, lane departure and driver attention warning, lane keep assist, blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross traffic collision and parking distance warning, pedestrian forward collision avoidance, and Safe Exit Assist. This last safety feature uses rear corner radars to detect approaching cars from behind, warning your passengers, especially children not to exit. It overrides attempts to deactivate the electronic child safety lock until it is safe for your rear passengers to open and exit the vehicle.

The Carnival has Passenger View and Passenger Talk, which includes an interior rear facing camera with infrared night illumination, so the front passengers can keep an eye on those messing around in the back two rows. The talk feature allows conversations between front and rear passengers without having to raise your voice. When activated, any audio coming through the speakers is muted. Both features are easily accessed and operated through the touch screen.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the 2022 Carnival, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it its highest overall safety rating —Top Safety Pick.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2022 Carnival comes in four trim levels–LX, EX, SX and SX Prestige. Base prices, before options but including the $1,175 destination charge, range from $33,275 to $47,275. Clean Fleet Report’s 2022 Carnival SX had a MSRP, with $495 in options and the $1,175 destination charge, of $42,770.

The 2022 Carnival comes with these warranties.

Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles

Basic – Five years/60,000 miles

Roadside – Five years/60,000 miles

Observations: 2022 Kia Carnival SX

The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival SX makes a great case against those that say they will never, ever drive a minivan. Kia has gone to great lengths to make a vehicle that offers SUV styling, but minivan practicality. Kia isn’t trying to fool anyone into thinking the carnival isn’t a minivan, they just want consumers to squint one more time when first looking at it and say to themselves, “I can see myself driving this.”

Clean Fleet Report found the clean, class-bending styling, with a comfortable interior and convenient, desirable seating and storage flexibility, to be all we could hoped for from a minivan that isn’t a minivan. The Carnival will impress your neighbors, and you will be somewhat incognito as it doesn’t scream “I’m driving a minivan!”

In addition to minivans, you probably will be cross-shopping the Carnival against, among others, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. Note how the Carnival offers more versatility than these full size SUVs, with more interior space, easier ingress and egress, and a more engaging drive. The practicability of the cargo area alone is a big draw to the Carnival.

The real world usability and practicability of the Carnival is what makes it a must shop.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.