Kia Carnival (2024) - 9-Seater Luxury Minivan!

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2024 Kia Carnival

$34.995–$48.095

At a Glance

HIGHS
Unobtrusive powertrain, nicely tuned ride and handling, handsome styling.
LOWS
Available rear VIP seats hinder cargo space, other vans are roomier inside, all-wheel drive is not available.
VERDICT
For times when an SUV just isn't handy enough, Kia's Carnival minivan is a logical and desirable choice.

Overview
We love singing the praises of minivans, and the 2024 Kia Carnival gives us plenty to croon about. Not only is it practical, comfortable, and value-packed, but it also wears a handsome, SUV-inspired look that helps van-averse drivers avoid the cringe. Its blocky, upright design does its best impression of Kia's über-desirable Telluride SUV, but take a look inside and you'll find more to like in the Carnival. Minivan rivals such as the Chrysler Pacifica and the Honda Odyssey are slightly roomier, but the Carnival's low load floor and tall roof provide plenty of space for the average family's needs. Opt for the second-row VIP seats and the Carnival is transformed into luxury transit with reclining buckets intended to make road trips with ornery kids a breeze. All models come loaded with driver-assistance features and modern infotainment too. Perhaps the only downside is the van's front-wheel drive-only layout, but we found that the 290-hp V-6 engine and a set of winter tires will put the Carnival on even footing with AWD rivals when the going gets snowy. The Carnival—as well as all three of its rivals—is a 2024 Editors' Choice honoree.

What's New for 2024?

The Carnival sees only two minor changes for 2024 and both impact the EX trim only. This mid-range trim no longer comes with auto up/down power windows but it does include a power-operated rear liftgate.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 Kia Carnival starts at $34.995 and goes up to $48.095 depending on the trim and options.
LX: $34,995
EX: $40,495
SX: $43,695
SX Prestige: $48,095

The Carnival is offered in four trim levels ranging from the value-oriented LX to the deluxe SX Prestige, but the EX represents the sweet spot between features and price. The EX trim comes with several convenience features that help to justify the cost of upgrading, including a power-operated rear liftgate, an in-cabin intercom, and a voice-control system that allows rear-seat passengers to provide commands to the Carnival's infotainment system.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 churning out a healthy 290 hp; an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is not on the menu, as the Carnival is offered as a front-wheel-drive model only. The Pacifica has an optional plug-in-hybrid powertrain and the Toyota Sienna comes as a hybrid by default, but no such setup is offered on the Carnival. We're impressed by the Carnival's well-balanced ride and handling, which is smooth when cruising but still composed in corners. The refined V-6 engine provides sprightly acceleration and powered the Carnival to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds at our test track.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel-economy ratings from the EPA for the Carnival are 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. We tested a Carnival on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it returned 28 mpg highway—2 mpg higher than its EPA rating. For more information about the Carnival's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Read More https://www.caranddriver.com/kia/carnival-2024