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.
