Resourceful & Rolling Revelry: The 2024 Kia Carnival – Where Capability Meets Class!

We have had many busy families on the go here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis and none of them were used to using the word “attractive” when talking about minivans. That is until they were introduced to the Carnival. The 2024 Kia Carnival has some very attractive qualities, a good deal of standard features, along with industry-leading warranty coverage. It is a class-leading member of the “MPV” crew, displaying multi-purpose and clever styling at every turn!

The Car and Driver experts are used to sharing test drive results for supercars, high horsepower levels, and aggressive rides with top-notch handling. However, they were incredibly enthusiastic about the Carnival, heralding its “unobtrusive powertrain, nicely tuned ride and handling, and handsome styling.” They declared it ideal for the times when an SUV just “isn’t handy enough”. The Carnival’s comfortable and value-packed space even wears a crossover-inspired look that assists a commanding first impression.

The first area where the Carnival excels over the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey is space: with its low-load floor and tall roof, there is more than enough for any active family’s daily needs. If you opt for the second-row VIP seats, the van is quickly transformed into luxury transit that can make even the longest trips with restless young ones much easier. Each model also comes loaded with the latest infotainment options, along with watch-dog grade driver-assistance features. Everything included aligns so well with a busy family’s summer escape that the Carnival enjoyed a Car and Driver “2024 Editor’s Choice” honor.

The trim levels range from the value-focused LX to the upper-end SX Prestige. The EX proved here that it represents the true “sweet spot” that boasts extras such as a power operated lift gate, in-cabin intercom, and a very handy voice control system that allows rear-seat passengers more control. Power is sourced from a pleasantly overachieving 3.5-liter V6 that cranks out a robust 290 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed automatic. The well-balanced ride and handling stole the show, along with the ample acceleration abilities of the V6.

When tested on the 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the Carnival yielded 28 mpg highway, with the EPA’s official ratings residing at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. The large-center console offers numerous places for small-item storage, accommodating the many USB drives, lost or found fingerlings, and random chargers along for the trip. The SX Prestige trim comes with high-end leather upholstery and can be spec’d with very comfy second-row seats with pop-up footrests. Another great option for maximizing the Carnival’s vacation appeal is the panoramic sunroof, allowing for awesome visuals and fresh air for second-row occupants. 

During testing, the Car and Driver crew were able to squeeze 14 suitcases behind the third row, and 48 in total after folding all the seats down. The infotainment screens that come with any new vehicle are one of the most crucial selling points in the current market. Much like powertrain specs on cars are more athletic, screen size allows the driver and passengers to know they'll be properly entertained for the whole journey. The Carnival comes with a single 8-inch infotainment screen standard, along with two optional 12.3-inch displays on the front dashboard. Another of the SX Prestige trim’s upper-end features is a crisp 12-speaker Bose stereo, along with the SX’s optional rear-seat entertainment system.

Road Show Blog Gladly Takes 2019 Kia Forte on an L.A. To San Fran Spin

Citing the new Kia Forte as “more competitive than ever” for 2019, small yet spacious was the name of the game when the Forte was conceptualized and brought to life. Boasting high fuel efficiency and a redesign, the road testing crew from Cnet recently took it on a jaunt from LA to San Francisco. This is one route that is particularly demanding, and has a very high amount of stop and go terrain, where the comfortable driver's seat and quiet cabin provided an environment that had no trouble in “piling on the miles.” The power is derived from a 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated I4 engine, making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, which is average in this class of compact sedans.

Because of the well-tuned and continuously variable transmission, the Forte is able to dart up an on ramp or pass satisfactorily, and the Forte EX is rated by the EPA at 30 miles per gallon city, and 40 mpg highway. The FE is the more efficient version, and there is nothing in existence as capable unless you go with a hybrid. Driver assistance is one of the elements that makes the Forte a great choice for long trips: Collision-mitigation braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are on board to protect the driver and passengers constantly, and assure that your destination is reached with ease. Collision-mitigation braking is one of our favorites: it uses amazing technology to detect any possibility of a front collision and sends various warnings to the driver to apply the brakes.

With a couple design cues taken from the Kia Stinger, writer Manuel Carrillo thought that the third-generation Forte is the best-looking one yet, and appreciated the unique accent that the LED taillights connected by a reflective-lens trim piece adds to the mix. In the center stack, you find the 8-inch touchscreen which houses the UVO infotainment system, with the ability to run both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Rear seats measure in at 37.5 and 35.7 inches of head- and legroom, offering up more than the Civic Sedan's rear headroom, and .2 cubic feet more than the popular midsize Toyota Camry.

It was agreed here that the EX trim is where the best in specs and features abound: this is the level in which you enjoy 17-inch wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a power driver's seat, leatherette upholstery, and ventilated as well as heated front seats. Ask us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis about the EX Launch Edition package: it ups the stakes drastically in the interior with Fire Orange paint, LED headlights, a rear spoiler, and a graphite finish to deck out the 17-inch wheels. You get the added benefits of embedded navigation, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a TFT instrument cluster display situated at a now-enlarged 4.2 inches.

Visually enticing, fun-to-drive, and economical, the Forte is a car that prides itself on the value it provides: holding the title ferociously as one of the best bangs for your buck in the compact space, it is a testament to everything engineers have been striving to develop for the last few decades. You can run with a muscular sports car, very large SUV with low mileage, or find your own “sweet spot” in the automotive realm somewhere in between: The Forte is the ultimate choice for those seeking a refined daily driver and option with the newest tech: entry-level options absolutely possess a resonance of true quality, and this is a vehicle that will meet your needs with cheerful and very current breed of appeal!