The all-new 2022 Carnival multi-purpose vehicle is an overall upgrade from its predecessor, the Sedona. Carnival’s 3.5-liter V6 engine pumps out 14 more horsepower than the Sedona’s 3.3-liter V6. While Sedona had plenty of cargo space (nearly 34 cubic feet behind the third row and 142 with second and third row seating folded down), the Carnival provides even more hauling room (40-plus cubic feet behind the third row and 145-plus cubic feet with second and third row seats folded). A week-long Carnival test drive overwhelmingly demonstrated that this vehicle delivers in key performance categories (acceleration, braking, ride/handling).

Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 dispensing 290 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. The engine mates to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 121.7-inch wheelbase Carnival is sold in 4 trims: LX, EX, SX and SX Prestige. Its 12 standard advanced driver assistance systems include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, parking distance warning in reverse gear, and blind spot collision warning with collision avoidance. The tested Kia Carnival SX Prestige carries a base MSRP of $46,100 and collects estimated mpg of 19 city and 26 highway.