Skip to main content

2022 Kia Carnival Review: An Affordable Private Jet

Kia Carnival front end angle from driver side in front of old building.
Joel Patel/The Manual

Since the rise of SUVs, minivans have been cast aside like that ugly Christmas sweater you refuse to wear. Minivans have a bad rap. They’re ugly, not all that fun to drive, and, compared to SUVs, lack the high-riding body that consumers crave. It’s sad. Once the humble family vehicle, the minivan has been replaced by the SUV. Your parents probably had a minivan when you were a child; mine did. It was almost like a right of passage. When you have kids, you get a minivan. Nowadays, though, you avoid a minivan at all cost, because there’s an SUV that can do something similar.

Recommended Videos

No, minivans aren’t cool, but automotive journalists know something that the majority of consumers don’t: No SUV can replicate a minivan. Those elongated bodies, as ugly as they may be, make them masters of interior space. The ungainly sliding doors and low ride height mean you can easily get into the vehicle, instead of having to physically hop into a seat. There aren’t many minivans on the market these days, because all of the crossover shoppers killed them off, but the ones that are on sale are so much better than the crud machines you remember riding in for hours as a kid.

Minivans these days are seriously good. And of the vans on sale, the 2022 Kia Carnival is one of the best. It’s good enough to woo SUV lovers and to put the “momobile” stereotype to rest. Just as its name conjures up memories of a Ferris wheel, games, stale popcorn, and creepy circus music, Kia’s Carnival minivan is a luxurious traveling party with wheels.

Design & Interior

Kia classifies the Carnival as an MPV, a multipurpose vehicle. It’s smart marketing to help minivans ditch their stereotypes. Don’t buy into the jargon, though. The Carnival is still clearly a minivan, but it has bold lines and muscular elements from the brand’s excellent Telluride to make you feel better about being seen behind the wheel.

Other minivans, like the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica have softer, curvier designs that you won’t find on SUVs. The Carnival, whether it’s classified as an MPV or a minivan, is the best-looking people carrier in the segment. It’s fresh, modern, and bold. Exactly what minivans need to be in the crusade against SUVs.

If the Carnival’s transformation on the outside is dramatic over the outgoing Sedona, what Kia did on the inside is stupefying. In the range-topping SX Prestige trim, the Carnival feels downright luxurious. The Mercedes-Benz-like 12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster look sharp, with the hammered metallic trim piece, rich caramel leather upholstery (some thought it looked orange, I’m pretty sure they needed to get their eyes checked), and a rear-entertainment system with a few built-in apps, are far nicer than similar elements you’ll find on other minivans on the market.

While I usually prefer to drive, the best seats in the Carnival are the ones found in the second row. The SX Prestige comes with what Kia calls “VIP Lounge Seats” that recline, slide, and extend. The last part may sound confusing. These lounge seats are like the massive massaging seats that people used to sit in for hours at malls. They fully recline, to where you’re nearly parallel with the minivan’s floor, with the leg rest extended for added comfort. With heating and ventilating functions, enough space for two skinny people, and the rear entertainment system, the lounge seats turn even the longest journey into an enjoyable affair.

Pop your kids in these seats, let them find their preferred seating position, and watch them zone out to Netflix on the rear screens. I would’ve loved to go on a road trip in a Carnival as a kid. I wouldn’t have complained as much and wouldn’t have asked (at least not as often) the dreaded question, “Are we there yet?”

The only issue with the lounge seats is that they aren’t all that practical and can be difficult to operate. You’ll have to go through a 10-minute training course on how to operate them before actually being able to use them. With the seats slightly reclined, the third row becomes unusable. Keep the second row in a somewhat upright position, though and the third row is comfortable enough for adults. The third row can be stowed easily, too, with the use of simple controls at the back, though manual labor is required.

The lounge seats also eat into overall cargo space, as the non-removable seats result in the minivan only offering up to 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space. If you prefer cargo capacity and don’t want to spoil your second-row passengers, you can skip the SX Prestige trim and go for one of the lower trims and get nearly the same level of opulence with extra usability.

Driving Experience

The Carnival has the right engine to feel like a Boeing 747. It’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that’s good for 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It feels smooth and plenty quick enough for a van that tips the scales at around 4,600 pounds. The eight-speed automatic transmission works well with the V6, shifting promptly and steadily. While others in the class, like the Sienna and Pacifica, are offered with all-wheel drive, the Carnival is front-wheel-drive only. That’s not a huge bummer, but with a minivan that looks this rugged, we do think it could hurt its appeal.

If it weren’t for the lack of all-wheel drive, the Carnival would be the ultimate family vehicle. For a minivan, it handles and rides well, with suspension tuning that manages to strike a fine balance of being soft without wallowing around. It’s a minivan, so you won’t be racing anyone or tackling corners with, but if you find yourself trying to pull an evasive maneuver upon takeoff, you’ll want to know that the Carnival feels willing to impress with a hefty steering wheel and a firm brake pedal feel.

Should You Get One?

Absolutely. Listen, I know minivans aren’t cool. I get that. I also get that the way a vehicle looks and makes you feel plays a large role in a purchase. SUVs are cooler than minivans, they just are. They look cooler, get more attention from your neighbors, and can tackle the gravel path to the cabin that you rent annually through Airbnb. But, if you sit down and have a real conversation with yourself, you’ll find that minivans are far better overall vehicles than SUVs.

And, if you find yourself near a Kia dealership and are mulling over the idea of a minivan, you owe it to yourself to test out a Carnival. It might sound weird, but it’s hard not to feel cool from behind the wheel of Kia’s people carrier. It oozes style and still hits all of the right notes for families or people that just want to be extra comfortable on a drive. The Carnival proves that minivans don’t have to just be for families, but for people that want a high-tech vehicle that offers a spacious cabin and comfortable seats. If you happen to have a family, though, the Carnival is sublime.

Joel Patel
Former Freelance Writer
Joel Patel is a former contributor for The Manual. His work has also been featured on Autoweek, Digital Trends, Autoblog…
The 2025 BMW X7 M60i may be the sportiest full-sized SUV on the market
Driving this, you forget you're in a full-sized SUV
Front 3/4 view of a a blue BMW X7 M60i

The luxury SUV market is a little crowded these days, so sometimes it’s difficult to stand out. There’s an argument that you should play to your historic strengths if you want to succeed, and that’s likely what BMW has done with the X7 M60i SUV. The vehicle is much larger than your average Blimmer, but at its core, it has all of the qualities that BMW customers tend to appreciate.

I recently spent some time looking at BMW’s biggest SUV, which has been enhanced with an “M” package. So, before hopping in the driver’s seat, I was already expecting a good amount of comfort paired with exceptional power. This is why the X7 M60i did not disappoint on either front.
It’s very aggressive, like a tiger on a leash

Read more
Bridgestone’s new touring tire comes with an 80,000 mile warranty
Bridgestone Launches All-New Turanza EverDrive Touring Tire
bridgestones new touring tire comes with an 80000 mile warranty bridgestone turanza everdrive  3

Since we started using a set of Firehawk Indy 500 tires a few months ago, Bridgestone has really impressed us with their dedication to quality and innovation in the tire scene. This week, they’ve introduced an exciting new addition—the Turanza EverDrive touring tire, and it's backed by an incredible 80,000-mile warranty, which is their longest yet.

These tires are designed for sedans, CUVs, and minivans, and they come with some really new and useful technology. The next-generation rubber compound helps fight against uneven wear, so you can expect them to last you longer. Plus, they’ll give you a smooth and comfortable ride, perfect for all your daily adventures with or without the family.

Read more
Aston Martin and LEGO unveil their latest collaboration: the LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie
The LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie
aston martin and lego unveil their latest collaboration the technic valkyrie  astonmartinvalkyrie1

Aston Martin and the LEGO Group have teamed up to roll out an exciting new project: the LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie. This awesome set combines the high-performance vibes of Aston Martin’s incredible hypercar with the fun of LEGO building. It gives fans a chance to explore all the exciting details and cutting-edge technology that make this car so unique.

Whether you’re into cars or just love LEGO, this model promises a fun building experience that’s sure to keep you engaged. Plus, it’s part of a fun partnership with Gameloft's Asphalt Legends UNITE gaming platform, so you can race both the real Aston Martin Valkyrie and your LEGO version in the game, getting the best of both worlds.

Read more