Your brain most likely recognizes the 2023 Kia Carnival as a mid-size SUV when you catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of your eye. Its design and Kia’s marketing are hence successful. But the Carnival is an entirely minivan. You don’t trust me? Check out the back doors, my friend. They move. The Carnival’s low floor and boxy design inside offer more capacity for freight storage than the ordinary crossover. A smooth-running 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 290 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard on all Carnivals. A number of driver-assistance features are standard on Kia vehicles, while pricier models are equipped with even more high-tech capabilities. Don’t be put off by the Carnival’s obvious minivanness, though. Accept its exemplary driving manners, increased usefulness, and roomy cabin. Let’s face it, high ground clearance and all-wheel drive are probably not necessities.
In This Article...
Is there a V6 engine in the Kia Carnival?
Scorecard. The brand-new 2022 Kia Carnival has a potent V6 engine that provides quick acceleration and lots of power for practically any driving circumstance, whether this Kia is fully loaded or empty except for the driver.
What foundation does the Kia Carnival stand upon?
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The new 2022 Carnival is not what Kia wants you to call a minivan. In fact, the word “minivan” is completely absent from any of Carnival’s marketing materials, including the seven-page press statement Kia sent to announce its launch.
Instead, Kia refers to the Carnival as a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and emphasizes how it has broken free from the minivan stereotype and moved inexorably toward the SUV category with its square jaw and tough appearance. Last year, when the Carnival’s first photographs surfaced, Kia was using the term “Grand Utility Vehicle” (GUV).
Despite attempts to disassociate it even from the “minivan name,” the 2022 Carnival still has the distinctive dual sliding rear doors that give minivans their versatility. In the manufacturer’s portfolio, it also directly replaces the Sedona minivan.
Since the Sedona has been its international label for more than 20 years, the Carnival name isn’t wholly new. However, the 2022 Kia Carnival signifies much more than just a rebranded global brand and a sporty new exterior for an outdated minivan.
To begin with, it was totally created at Kia’s California studio, the same location where the well-liked Telluride and handsome new 2021 Sorento SUVs were created. A striking rendition of Kia’s “tiger nose grille” and a body with sharp, dramatic lines running from the hood to the taillamps are two examples of this. The first vehicle to bear the new Kia emblem that is headed for the United States is the 2022 Kia Carnival MPV.
The Carnival is built on Kia’s third-generation K3 platform, which also supports the company’s new Sorento and K5 sedan and was created to fit in with the company’s most recent initiatives. Kia claims the new architecture is stronger, quieter, lighter, and more aerodynamically efficient than the previous one.
The only available powerplant is a 3.5-liter V6 with an eight-speed automated transmission and front-wheel drive, producing 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. In compared to the 3.3-liter V6 found in the outgoing 2021 Sedona, those figures show gains of 14 horsepower and 14 pound-feet of torque. The Carnival only has front-wheel drive at the moment. The maximum towing weight is still 3500 pounds.
The interior is the newest iteration of Kia’s quickly changing design language. The dashboard, console, and cabin are all covered in glossy black and chrome accents. Slim air vents almost completely blend into the dash’s design line. Kia is offering three different interior color schemes, but they are only the black and burnt orange/tan combination featured in the images.
The seating arrangements for seven or eight passengers are where the true innovation lies. The eight-seater variant has a movable second-row center seat, which, when moved all the way forward, makes it simple for the front passenger to reach objects or care for a child. Additionally, the seat can be used as a table.
When you upgrade to the seven-passenger seating arrangement, two captain’s chairs are used in place of the second-row bench. Moving upmarket, the seating choice with the suitable moniker VIP Lounge offers heated and ventilated reclining seats with wing-out headrests and leg extensionsof course, they are powered.
The second-row seats, with the exception of the VIP Lounge seating, are removable to add even more space, while the third-row folds into the floor for maximum load capacity. Speaking of room, Kia boasts a 145.1 cubic feet best-in-class load capacity behind the front seats. The Carnival has 3.1 feet more cargo capacity than the Sedona’s 142, despite the fact that we are unable to substantiate the claim that it is the class leader.
LX, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige will be the four trim levels available when the Carnival makes its debut. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and hands-free power sliding doors are included as standard features.
Up to nine USB connections for all three rows, two 110-volt power inverters, a power liftgate, one-touch key fob capabilities for the side doors and rear tailgate, Bose premium audio, and other goodies are all available.
Children in the back seat can be monitored using a passenger-view camera with zoom and night vision, and front and rear passengers can easily communicate using the intercom system. The EX, SX, and SX-Prestige trims all come standard with Passenger Voice Recognition, which enables passengers in the second row to operate a number of vehicle systems using voice commands after initially pressing a button.
A complete array of security and assistance features is offered by Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). All of the following come as standard: lane departure warning with lane-keeping aid, automatic high beams, blind-spot detection with avoidance assistance, rear cross-traffic warning with brake active parking assistance, and front collision warning with automated emergency braking.
There are many more safety and assistance features available as options, such as Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C), which enables the navigation system to reduce the vehicle’s speed proactively before approaching curves in the road. In order to prevent or lessen an impact, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Cyclist assists in spotting cyclists and applies automated braking. Using data from the navigation system, Highway Driving Assist modifies the speed and distance between the leading car on federal highways.
It is also possible to purchase Kia’s complex UVO link telematics system, which integrates the functionality of several car functions. Utilizing connected weather and real-time maps, a new cloud-based route computation system leverages the UVO cloud to determine the best path.
The vehicle’s climate, seat and steering wheel heating, audio system, and other features may all be controlled using the speech thanks to an improved UVO voice assistance technology. Additionally, it enables users to remotely control some tasks via a smart speaker or device equipped with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Minivans have long been unfairly maligned as suburban shuttles, yet the species endures because few other cars, SUVs included, can offer a comparable amount of room and affordability.
The new Carnival is Kia’s attempt to dispel the myth that family vehicles are essentially androgenous pods where enthusiast interest in cars withers. Simply avoid referring to the Carnival as a minivan.
The second quarter of 2021 is when the 2022 Kia Carnival is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms. Pricing information will be released nearer the time of sale.
Who manufactures Kia motors?
Hyundai and Kia produce their own engines, and a recent manufacturing fault may result in the premature death of more than 1 million of those engines.
For the same problem, Hyundai and Kia made separate recall announcements. About 572,000 examples of the 2013-2014 Santa Fe and 2013-2014 Sonata are included in Hyundai’s recall. About 618,160 units of the 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento, and 2011-2013 Sportage are included in Kia’s recall.
One of two enginesa 2.4-liter, direct-injected, naturally aspirated I4 or a 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4powers each of the involved vehicles. The motors’ various production dates range from 2010 to 2014.
The problem is due to manufacturing mistakes. It appears that metal debris in the crankshaft oil passageways wasn’t properly wiped out, and a second mistake led to surface roughness in the crankpins (crank journals). The connecting rod bearings, which enable the connecting rods to move freely, may receive less oil as a result of these two issues.
The engine may begin to knock as the bearing ages from contacting a rough surface without lubrication. The engine may seize up and be doomed to the scrap heap if the driver doesn’t understand what’s wrong and the bearings fail. If the engine seizes while the car is moving, it also poses a safety risk.
In May, notice will be given to dealers and owners, the latter by first-class mail. Owners must visit the dealership so that mechanics can examine and perhaps replace the engine. Owners who have previously paid for repairs must follow certain procedures in order to receive reimbursement from Hyundai or Kia.
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Is buying a Kia Carnival worthwhile?
The Kia Carnival is a reliable minivan, yes. It offers a comfortable ride and assured handling, has a strong V6 engine, and gets good gas mileage. With three rows of roomy seats and high-end materials, the interior is gorgeous. Lots of cargo space is available, including a class-leading amount behind the third row of seats.
How trustworthy is a Kia Carnival?
Consumer Reports scored the 2022 Kia Carnival high marks after examining the normal measurements for a decent vehicle. It ranked first among minivans with a score of 79 out of 100 overall and 89 out of 100 on the road test. Despite the Carnival’s opposition, the vehicle qualifies as a minivan. It took the place of the mediocre Kia Sedona minivan. The Kia Carnival leaves a lasting impression.
The reliability score was three out of five, but the anticipated owner satisfaction score was four out of five. Customer Reports described it as “The spacious, luxurious, and Kia Carnival. The Carnival MPV, which replaced the previous Kia minivan in the range, is attractively designed and excellent for families. The smooth powertrain, the brakes, the interior space, and the controls are some of the positives mentioned. It won the coveted award “suggested label, likewise.
Does the Kia Carnival have AWD?
Everything is brand-new for 2022 because the Carnival will take the place of the Sedona. Technologies and features: An 8-speed automatic transmission with a 3.5-liter V6 powers the front wheels. There is no all-wheel drive available.
The Kia Carnival 2022is it an SUV or a van?
In actuality, Kia’s 2022 Kia Carnival is a cutting-edge minivan dressed as an SUV, despite the company’s claims that it is a multipurpose vehicle. The spacious third-row seating, which so many SUVs lack, and the traditional sliding side door are what identify it as a minivan. Additionally, the Carnival only has front-wheel drive while the majority of SUVs have all-wheel drive.
Nevertheless, the Kia Carnival is a fantastic people mover that can accommodate up to eight passengers comfortably. Additionally, each model is loaded with cutting-edge driver aid safety features and technology. When parents pull up to drop off a group of kids and their equipment at the sports field, its sleeker-than-most-minivan design might even help them avoid the outdated soccer mom and dad reputation.
The second row of the top-of-the-line Kia Carnival Prestige SX boasts seats that resemble those in business class; they are the most comfortable way to travel in any car under $50,000. The fit and finish of the cockpit is also on par with the level of luxury found inside high-end automobiles from manufacturers like Audi, BMW, and Lexus. More importantly, even the cheapest Carnival has a comprehensive selection of safety technology. It satisfies every requirement that the recently retired Kia Sedona minivan could not quite meet.
The Chrysler Pacifica, the minivan segment’s current best-selling vehicle with sales accounting for 40% of the segment through April 2021, will be closely followed by the 2022 Kia Carnival. The Toyota Sienna (32%) and Honda Odyssey follow in its wake (24 percent ). Since buyers abandoned the market in favor of SUVs five years ago, every top-selling minivan has undergone a redesign to stay competitive. But together, their sales have decreased from 1.1 million in 2005 to slightly over 270,000 in 2020.
Are Kia Sedona and Carnival the same thing?
Compared to the Sedona, the Kia Carnival has a marginally higher price range. On the other hand, its extensive onboard equipment and more potent engine make it well worth the price.
- Price range for the 2022 Kia Carnival: $36,460 to $50,260, 5 models
- Price range for the 2021 Kia Sedona: $34,205 to $44,705, 4 variations
In terms of engines, the 2022 Kia Carnival defeats the Sedona thanks to its 3.5 L V6 engine’s 290 horsepower. That outperforms the 276 horsepower, 3.3 L V6 engine of its predecessor. Their combined towing capacities, which are 3500 pounds for both models, are unchanged.
The Carnival nevertheless offers higher fuel economy than the Sedona despite having greater power, with city/highway ratings of 12.0/8.9 L/100 km compared to 12.7/10.0 for the Sedona.
Although the size of their exteriors is quite comparable, the Carnival once again has the advantage. The Carnival’s load volume, which varies from 1,139 to 4,110 L depending on whether the rear seats are folded down or not, is its strongest asset. This measurement for the Sedona spans from 960 to 4,022 L.
What will the price of the Kia Carnival be in 2022?
The Kia Carnival 2022 is a good deal. It has a starting price of $33,275, which is $1,700 higher than the Sedona from 2020. (all prices include destination). It costs a little bit more ($33,265) than a 2022 Honda Odyssey, but it has more convenient features. Starting at $37,315 is the updated Chrysler Pacifica for 2021, and the new Toyota Sienna for 2021 is similarly more expensive at $35,635.
Like its rivals, the Carnival is equipped with a number of standard active safety features, including rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, automatic lane centering steering, blind spot intervention, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Carnival also has a few basic safety features that other vehicles don’t, like an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and the Safe Exit Assist system, which uses radar to detect oncoming traffic and can stop a back door from opening to prevent an accident.
The available blind spot vision monitor that is provided on other Kia vehicles is one of my favorites. When a turn signal is activated, it displays the view from adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster. When navigating city streets where there are both pedestrians and bikers, I found it to be quite helpful.