2024 Kia Carnival

Having debuted as an all-new model for 2022, the 2023 Kia Carnival undergoes only some minor trim changes. A remote 360-degree monitoring system through the Kia Connect app is added to the EX+ and SX trims, while Mineral Blue exterior colour is no longer available. While only four automakers offer minivans anymore, they’re still the most practical way to move a crowd of people and their belongings. The handsomely-styled Carnival offers the least-expensive way to get into one, with a choice of five trim levels. Kia provides a 5-year/100,000-km comprehensive and powertrain warranty that covers almost everything on the vehicle.

Performance

All Carnival trims use a 3.5L V6 engine that makes 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s rated at 10.6 L/100 km in combined driving and runs on regular-grade gasoline. The LX and LX+ use 17-inch alloy wheels, while upper trims run on 19-inch alloy wheels. Unlike some competitors, it isn’t available in all-wheel drive. The 2022 version earned a Top Safety Pick award from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Practicality

The 2023 Kia Carnival comes with three rows of seats, and all three are easy to access and with sufficient room for adults, which usually isn’t the case with three-row SUVs. With the third row upright, cargo space is a generous 1,139 litres, and you get up to 4,110 litres when the second and third rows are folded. While it requires some muscle to lift them, the second-row seats on the LX, LX+, EX, and EX+ can be removed if you need maximum storage space. The Carnival can also tow up to 3,500 lbs. Lower trims have eight-passenger seating, while the SX seats seven and has second-row captain’s chairs with deployable footrests. All trims include emergency front braking, lane-keep assist, driver alert monitor, rear parking sensors, and mandatory rearview camera.

Canadian pricing

 The 2023 Kia Carnival starts at $35,795 for the base LX trim, an increase of $1,000 over the 2022 model. The next-step-up LX+ at $39,295 adds such comfort and convenience items as heated front seats and steering wheel, power driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, power sliding doors and liftgate, wireless phone charger, roof rails, and manual rear-window sunshades. The top-line SX, at $49,595, includes such features as a dual-panel sunroof, leather upholstery, air-cooled first- and second-row seats, heated second-row seats, navigation, premium stereo, and emergency rear braking.