Minivans have long been saddled with an undeserved bad rap. These unassuming and spacious vehicles got stuck being the punchlines of endless boring jokes about suburbia. But in recent years, they have roared out from under the leafy canopies of Main Street USA, making waves with powerful engines and sleek designs.
One brand that has turned out an impressive effort is
. The back seating arrangement for the SX-Prestige level can be reconfigured so that the middle seats’ footrests go up and the chairs can be reclined, for a truly restful experience for any back seat passengers. And the burnt orange color splashed throughout the interior looks sharp and focused.
As for entertaining parents and kiddos on long road trips, the Carnival has it covered. The cockpit sports an infotainment screen that can be upgraded from 8 inches to 12.3 inches, and anyone in the backseat can watch the latest from Pixar on individual screens on the back of the front seats.
Car and Driver also notes some additional features available for upgrade, including USB ports and outlets, a camera that shows the front seat what the back seat is up to, and an intercom system. The Carnival is, in fact, a carnival.
MORE: Which Kia Comes Out on Top? The 2022 Kia Carnival vs. Telluride
One point of contention for some minivan drivers is the lack of all-wheel drive. The Carnival, like its predecessor, is front-wheel drive. So don’t take this minivan on any tough mudder trips. You could, however, tow a couple of ATVs and then park far away from the mud, as this vehicle can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
With a 3.5 liter V-6 engine and 290 hp, the Carnival likely won’t win you any races. However, its “refined” drivetrain was praised by Car and Driver, as was its handling on corners. Though this minivan is big and heavy, it drives smoothly. The carting around of people and things should be quite enjoyable in this van.
Investing in a Carnival
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Like the new Kia logo that adorns it, the Carnival is stylish and ready for the future. Starting at $33,275, it’s reasonably priced for what it offers, and if they’re anything like the Sedona, they should last you over 200,000 miles. That’s a lot of trips to the soccer field. (OK, that was the last one.)
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