2023 Kia Carnival Review | It’s the model winner

Pros: Stylish; nice tech; trick second-row seat choices

Cons: No hybrid or all-wheel-drive choice; comparatively small third row

The 2023 Kia Carnival is assured to wow you within the minivan phase. And no, Kia doesn’t name it a minivan — it makes use of “MPV,” which is principally the European phrase for minivan — however all the pieces concerning the Carnival’s really feel, trip and drives screams minivan. And that’s OK! Minivan are cool, and don’t let anybody let you know in any other case. Not solely are they cool, however the Carnival is the best with wild options just like the VIP Lounge second row seats. Show as much as the college drop-off line in a single outfitted just like the Carnival within the pictures above, and also you’re positive to show a couple of curious heads.

Of course, utility continues to be king in the case of the Carnival. Its box-like form leaves you with a plethora of cargo house and rear seat legroom that’s much like or greater than lots of its rivals. If you don’t need the flowery VIP seats, Kia gives the distinctive “Captain Kirk” seat within the eight-passenger Carnival. Opt for the highest trims, and the inside is slathered in eye-catching trim, huge screens and tons of tech.

We’re dissatisfied that the Carnival doesn’t supply powertrain choices to compete with options just like the hybrid-only Sienna and Pacifica PHEV, although. They have a big gasoline economic system benefit that may very well be motive sufficient to selected a type of slightly than the massive Kia. Furthermore, the Carnival would not supply all-wheel drive because the Toyota and Chrysler do. Still, if gasoline economic system and AWD are usually not priorities, the Carnival is nicely deserving of a spot in your shortlist. It could even look sufficient like an SUV to persuade minivan detractors to provide it an opportunity, too.

Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy

What it is prefer to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features

What’s new for 2023?

Kia doesn’t change loads for 2023, and all of the minor modifications happen inside. The SX trim snags the 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster that was beforehand unique to the SX Prestige. Additionally, the SX Prestige will get a brand new commonplace seat configuration. Instead of the reclining VIP Lounge seats coming commonplace, the common mannequin’s 8-seat configuration is the usual setup. You can optionally add the VIP seats if you need these as an alternative now.

What are the Carnival’s inside and in-car expertise like?

The Carnivals pictured on this web page symbolize the nicest you are going to discover. Both the SX and SX Prestige (pictured above) are the range-topping fashions, and with them you get improved supplies high quality and way more gear. Keep this in thoughts earlier than anticipating to see a number of huge screens and VIP Lounge seats in a $33,000 base van — you may’t even get these on the common SX, they’re elective on the Prestige solely. Still, there’s not as a lot of a drop-off when it comes to high quality and ambiance as you will discover in varied Toyota Sienna trim ranges, and each Carnival has a extra upscale appear and feel than the appliance-like Honda Odyssey. We must also observe that though a lot of the Carnival’s “wow” options can be found in different minivans, none supply the identical variety of them in the identical place.

The commonplace infotainment set-up consists of conventional analog gauges and a user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen that does look a bit low-cost in a housing clearly meant for one thing larger. That could be the 12.3-inch infotainment display screen that arrives with the EX trim. The gauges get swapped out for the all-digital instrument panel within the SX and SX Prestige solely. Both SX trims can be found with seatback touchscreens (very like the Chrysler Pacifica) that features Netflix and YouTube apps, plus Kia’s Sounds of Nature white noise packages (mother and father of small youngsters will know why this can be a huge deal). Carnivals with the 8-inch display screen embody wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however these with the 12.3-inch display screen require a wired connection. Every trim however the base LX has have entry to a wi-fi charger, whereas each trim has a number of USB ports per seating row. The SX and SX Prestige have 115-volt inverters — one on the again of the middle console and one within the rear cargo space — for equipment with a regular two- or three-prong plug.

How huge is the Carnival?

Buyers select between seven-seat or eight-seat configurations like all the opposite minivans, however that is the place the comparisons cease. The eight-passenger configuration we evaluate in additional depth right here (pictured above, backside left and proper) contains a distinctive middle seat that slides far ahead and all the way in which again to the third row and past. This might be helpful when attempting to stuff as many automotive seats as doable aboard, or simply to create distinctive seating and cargo configurations. There are then two seven-seat configurations. The first one principally removes the eight-passenger’s center seat and provides in-board armrests to the remaining captain’s chairs. The second one, unique to and elective on the SX Prestige (pictured above, high left and proper), are dubbed VIP Lounge seats attributable to their huge recline and pop-up footrests. This could be a fantastic selection for households with older youngsters.

The Carnival has a smaller third row than its rivals. Legroom is simply 35.6 inches, which is about 2 inches lower than the subsequent smallest, the Toyota Sienna, and three inches lower than the Pacifica, which is the clear winner for full-house consolation. That third row continues to be lots acceptable, and though the others are roomier, chances are you’ll not really discover.

Kia quotes the perfect cargo capability within the enterprise at 40.2 cubic ft behind the third row. Kia additionally (simply barely) boasts essentially the most total inside house at 145.1 cubic ft, however the Odyssey is almost tied. Unfortunately, you may’t have the VIP seats and all that cargo room, since these seats don’t fold flat, and so they’re not detachable both. Slide them ahead, and you continue to have a big, flat house, nevertheless it’s an actual utility downer in comparison with different minivans with extra flexibility. If you want the house, skip the VIP seats on the SX Prestige. The eight-passenger SX is pictured under with its distinctive center seat pushed all the way in which again. 

What are the Carnival’s gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?

Kia retains it easy with the Carnival and solely gives one powertrain configuration. It comes with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This is distributed via an eight-speed computerized transmission to the entrance wheels. The Carnival has extra horsepower than different minivans, however not by a large margin. All-wheel drive isn’t out there.

Fuel economic system is respectable at 19 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed. That’s proper on par with the remainder of the V6-powered minivans on the market, however you’ll be burning considerably extra gasoline than if you happen to selected the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid. Kia has a terrific hybrid powertrain out there within the Sportage and Sorento. It’s a disgrace Kia cannot make one thing comparable work within the Carnival. 

What’s the Carnival prefer to drive?

Out on the highway, the engine feels torquey, and is pleased to spin the entrance wheels from a cease at full throttle. The engine sounds good, too, principally quiet in regular working, however issuing a managed growl below laborious acceleration. The Carnival feels swift and by no means left us wanting when merging onto a busy freeway with a brief on-ramp.

It steers confidently, with a pleasant weight build up within the wheel via corners. The suspension is barely on the taut facet, giving a great really feel of the highway, with the draw back of transmitting extra highway noise into the cabin — it’s an enormous field, and it appears like one. You can have extra enjoyable swinging it round than a comparable SUV, however the Sienna continues to be the best-handling minivan. Long freeway journeys are nice because of the Highway Drive Assist doing most the be just right for you, and the Bose audio system is nice for masking the highway noise that intrudes into the cabin. The Carnival will depart you feeling refreshed after masking a ton of floor, which is simply what a minivan must do.

What different Kia Carnival opinions can I learn?

2022 Kia Carnival First Drive Review | The fashionable one

Our first expertise behind the wheel. We present preliminary impressions and all the main points concerning the van you may need to know.

The Eight-Passenger 2022 Kia Carnival has a ‘Captain Kirk chair’

An in-depth evaluate of the eight-passenger Kia Carnival and it is distinctive, second-row sliding center seat we dub the “Captain Kirk chair.”

2022 Kia Carnival vs the opposite minivans | How they evaluate on paper

If you want specs, right here’s the place you’ll discover the Kia Carnival in comparison with all the opposite minivans.

What is the 2023 Carnival’s value?

Pricing for the 2023 Kia Carnival might be discovered under, damaged down into the out there trim ranges of LX, EX, SX and SX Prestige. All embody the $1,335 vacation spot cost.

• LX: $34,235
• EX: $39,735
• SX: $42,935
• SX-Prestige: $47,335

For household obligation hauling a lot of people round, each the LX and EX are nice values. The LX contains many necessities, and the luxuries added by the EX are value the additional coin. Notable options for the EX embody 19-inch alloy wheels, rear sunglasses, eight-passenger seating, leatherette seats, long-sliding rails for the rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an influence liftgate, tri-zone local weather management, and most vital of all, lots of Kia’s neat in-cabin tech options. These embody the Cabin Camera (view of rear rows within the display screen), Cabin Intercom, Quiet Mode (turns off rear audio system for sleeping occupants) and adaptive cruise management with Kia’s chic Highway Drive Assist.

The SX Prestige provides all the high-class luxurious options — the VIP seats are a free choice if you happen to’d slightly have them over the 8-passenger format. The solely pay-for bundle on the SX Prestige is the out there rear seat leisure bundle for $1,000.

You can discover a full breakdown of options, specs and native pricing right here on Autoblog.

What are the Carnival’s security scores and driver help options?

Most of the vital options come commonplace on the 2023 Carnival. Driver help options on the bottom LX embody ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help, blind spot warning w/collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert w/collision avoidance, rear parking sensors, rear occupant alert, and a “safe exit assist” characteristic that watches for vehicles approaching from the rear when exiting right into a road. Stepping as much as increased trims unlocks options similar to ahead collision avoidance for cyclists, rear computerized emergency braking, 360-degree digicam, entrance parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist. The SX and SX-Prestige will get the improved blind-spot warning system that includes a reside digicam feed that received our 2020 Technology of the Year Award. 

The 2022 Carnival (2023 scores not out there at time of publishing) was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It obtained high marks for its crash worthiness and ahead collision avoidance tech. Its commonplace headlights obtained a “Poor” score, although, whereas the SX Prestige acquired the best-possible “Good” score. Ratings from the National Highway Traffic Administration are usually not but out there.

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