You can't beat the minivan for
hauling friends and family, but they are somehow missing out on the
"cool" factor, which must be why crossovers have become the norm.
Starting with the 2022 model year, Kia hopes to change that and is trying something
different for its largest vehicle. The previous Sedona minivan is gone,
replaced by the 2022 Kia Carnival, which the company has dubbed an MPV or
multi-purpose vehicle. The name isn't all that's changed; the exterior gives it
an SUV-ish appearance with boxy styling and a more aggressive front-end, but
most people will view the Carnival as a minivan thanks to its dual sliding
doors and excellent carrying capabilities. Even if Kia near Rio Rancho, NM is hoping to
lose the minivan moniker, the 2022 Carnival is an outstanding minivan!
Exterior Styling of the Carnival
The Carnival has a unibody frame
that ensures a smooth ride, built on the same platform as the Kia K5 sedan and
the Sorento SUV. Dressing up that frame is a more squared-off look that we like
better than the past look of the more rounded Sedona, and there's also a flat
hood which gives the Carnival more of a crossover appearance than a minivan.
The new take on the Kia tiger-nose grille, a kind of "digital" tiger
look, is also a change that we love.
Interior Changes
Naturally, there's loads of space
inside. And depending on which edition you choose; the Carnival can be equipped
with seating for up to eight. The third-row seat is a 60/40 split and can be
manually folded into the floor. The Carnival will give you a whopping 145 cubic
feet of cargo space when those are folded, and the second-row seats are
removed. Otherwise, you'll have 40.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row
when all seats are up. Unfortunately, the second-row seats don't fold away into
the floor, but they easily slide fore and aft to give passengers more
room.
If you don't need eight seats, the
VIP lounge seats are a must. Lounge seats are a great term because it's like
being in your living room, thanks to the fully reclining function with power
footrests. The VIP lounge seats come with heating and ventilation as
well.
Even passengers riding in third row
have a generous amount of head and legroom; compared to three-row crossovers,
the Carnival's third row is cavernous! And no matter which row you're sitting
in, you'll find USB ports to connect all your devices.
Technology in Kia near Rio Rancho,
NM
The 2022 Carnival comes equipped
with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The
higher trim levels have a larger 12.3-inch display, and all models have an
attractive dashboard made with high-quality materials. Kia's infotainment
system is user-friendly, with beautiful graphics, giving the Carnival a more
modern look and feel than its rivals.
There's an available cabin intercom
and camera system, making communication a snap with passengers in the way back.
And all the expected driver-assist tech is included for you too.
Power
A 3.5-liter V6 can be found under
the hood, delivering a nice 290 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed
automatic transmission is paired with it, which provides smooth and lively
shifts, and acceleration is strong. The Carnival feels nimbler than you'd
expect from a minivan, but the suspension is a bit soft because, well, it
really is a minivan!
Fuel consumption is rated at 19 mpg
city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. This puts it about the same as the
Honda Odyssey and the non-hybrid Chrysler Pacifica. If you want better fuel
efficiency, you'll need to try the more expensive hybrid Toyota Sienna or the
plug-in hybrid Pacifica.
Visit Us
The 2022 Kia Carnival comes in four
trim levels: LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The base model LX starts at $33,555
MSRP, including destination fees. If you want the top-of-the-line SX Prestige,
you'll only put out around $46,000 - much less than the competitors' top trims.
Come over to Fiesta Kia near
Rio Rancho, NM to get a closer look at all the Carnival
trims and take one for a test drive. We're located just a short drive down the
road at 7400 Lomas Blvd NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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