2023 Kia Carnival vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival was a fresh addition to the minivan market, boasting unique design elements that distinguished it from its competitors. The LX and LX+ trims featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more sophisticated look with 19-inch machined-finish wheels, simulated open-pore wood trim, and SynTex simulated leather. The SX trim added black wheels, textured metal dashboard trim, and real leather, with VIP Lounge Seats as a standout feature. The Carnival's SUV-inspired styling included simulated skid plates, a floating roof design, and roof rails, giving it a robust appearance. Despite the visible sliding door tracks, Kia cleverly integrated them with character lines, maintaining the vehicle's sleek design. The Carnival's angular design set it apart from the more rounded Chrysler Pacifica, the quirky Honda Odyssey, and the bloated Toyota Sienna, making it a top contender in the design category.

Inside, the 2022 Carnival continued the SUV theme with a dashboard, centre console, and seating arrangement reminiscent of a crossover. This approach, combined with Kia's attention to style, gave the Carnival an upscale feel even in its base trim. The vehicle's design was both practical and visually appealing, making it a strong choice for those seeking a stylish and functional minivan.

The 2023 Kia Carnival maintained its distinctive style, relying on unique interior fittings and impressive technology to stand out in the minivan segment. Available in LX, LX+, EX, EX+, and SX trims, the 2023 model offered a range of base prices from $35,795 to $49,595, excluding destination and dealer fees. The SX trim, with its Storm Blue paint, showcased a high-tech front and rear lighting system, an intricate grille, and decorative roof pillar trim, contributing to its upscale image. However, the black alloy wheels were considered uninspired.

Inside, the 2023 Carnival featured dual instrumentation and infotainment screens on the EX+ and SX trims, adding a touch of sophistication. The SX trim's dual power sunroofs provided ample natural light, while the flashy dashboard trim mirrored the exterior's appearance. The interior materials were of high quality, preventing the minivan from feeling cheap, and the robust transmission shifter added a sense of quality. Overall, the 2023 Carnival's design and features made it an attractive option for those seeking a stylish and technologically advanced minivan.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options were unavailable, the Carnival boasted a towing capacity of 1,587.5 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The V6 engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, and the automatic transmission operated unobtrusively. Drivers could choose from Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode being the preferred choice despite occasional delayed downshift responses. The Carnival's fuel consumption was rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing.

Dynamically, the front-wheel-drive Carnival felt taut and athletic, with a flat cornering stance and minimal tire noise. However, it could feel stiff over broken pavement and bouncy over drainage dips and speed humps. When loaded with passengers and cargo, the ride quality improved, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Kia Carnival retained the same 3.5-litre V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, offering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It was rated to consume 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving and had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid powertrain options, which would have been beneficial in wet weather conditions. During testing, the vehicle averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in Normal mode, highlighting the potential benefits of a hybrid powertrain.

Despite this, the V6 engine provided ample power, even with a full load of passengers. The transmission operated flawlessly, and Sport mode was effective for climbing steep roads. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during a mountain descent, requiring more pressure on the pedal. This issue was isolated, and the brakes performed well in other situations. The Carnival's ride quality was firm and sporty with only a driver aboard, but it softened with a full load of passengers. Overall, the 2023 Carnival offered a satisfying driving experience, though the Honda Odyssey was slightly more athletic.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was a practical minivan with an SUV-style design that limited storage space compared to some competitors. Most trims offered eight-passenger seating with a versatile second-row bench seat. The SX trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated VIP Lounge Seats with Ottoman-style leg rests, providing a luxurious experience for rear passengers. However, these seats could not be removed or folded flat, limiting maximum cargo volume. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the rearmost cargo area offered ample space for luggage and strollers.

Kia's "smart" hands-free power-sliding side doors and liftgate had their pros and cons, with the liftgate opening automatically when the key fob was nearby. The Carnival provided 1,139 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat, which could be expanded to 2,460 litres by folding the seats into the storage well. Removing the second-row seats created a maximum cargo volume of 4,110 litres, comparable to a Chevy Suburban. Overall, the 2022 Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Kia Carnival continued to defy minivan stereotypes with its SUV-like design and driving experience. The driver’s seat offered a lower position, and the centre console was arranged like those in SUVs. The Carnival offered three types of upholstery: cloth in the LX trims, artificial leather in the EX trims, and genuine leather in the SX. The SX trim included a three-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the controls for these features were distracting to use while driving.

The Carnival's interior featured three individual seats in all trims except the SX, which had two power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated VIP Lounge Seats. These seats were luxurious but limited cargo volume to 2,460 litres and made accessing the third row more challenging. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults and included USB ports and cupholders. The smart power liftgate revealed a deep well with 1,139 litres of cargo space, and the third-row seats could be tumbled into the well to expand cargo space. Removing the second-row seats created a maximum cargo volume of 4,110 litres. Overall, the 2023 Carnival offered a spacious and versatile interior with some compromises for luxury features.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a range of technology features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LX trim, which included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. The EX+ trim introduced a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice recognition, and an embedded modem for UVO Link connected services. It also included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and eight speakers. The EX+ and SX trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and the SX trim included a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive to use, but a quick reference guide was recommended for new owners to familiarize themselves with the features.

The 2023 Kia Carnival SX test vehicle featured 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment touchscreens mounted side-by-side under a single piece of glass, similar to a Mercedes-Benz. The digital instrumentation impressed with its lush graphics and changing imagery based on the time of day. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to Kia Connect connected services. However, the 12-speaker Bose audio system was considered mediocre. Additional tech features included Quiet Mode, Passenger Talk, and a passenger view camera. The Carnival's technology package was comprehensive, though some features required a learning curve.

The 2022 Kia Carnival came equipped with a comprehensive list of safety features and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard equipment included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. The EX trim added front parking sensors, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning with collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Carnival also featured an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The EX+ trim included a surround-view camera system and a camera-based Blind View Monitor. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2022 Carnival a Top Safety Pick rating.

The 2023 Kia Carnival continued to offer a robust suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available from the EX trim. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement in the minivan for up to 24 hours after locking. The Carnival also featured adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist. The EX+ and SX trims added a surround-view camera and a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Highway Driving Assist technology was particularly noteworthy for its accuracy and smooth operation. The IIHS named the 2023 Carnival a Top Safety Pick, though the standard headlights received a Poor rating.