By: Joshua Lee
April 3, 2024
What do you look for in a family car? Maybe perhaps the safety features, how practical the vehicle is, or how convenient it is to operate on a daily basis. The SUV is a popular choice for families everywhere, leaving the humble minivan behind because of its slow and boring stigma. Well, what if the minivan can be “cool”? Kia Canada gave us their 2024 Kia Carnival SX for the week so we can see what it’s like behind the wheel.
Powering the 2024 Kia Carnival is a 3.5L V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Out of the minivans we’ve tested so far, the Carnival is the fastest compared to the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica. The V6 is powerful for a vehicle this size, while the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts through gears smoothly. The Sienna and Pacifica offer all-wheel drive, whereas the Carnival is only available in front-wheel drive. Driving the Carnival is enjoyable because it offers a quiet ride and feels more like a car than something chunky. There is good steering feedback, and the suspension isn’t too soft, which makes the Carnival more enjoyable to drive.
Kia has done a great job with the exterior of the Carnival, giving the MPV clean lines, wheel arches, and a distinct faceted silver accent on the C-pillar. Both the headlights and taillights are slim, adding to its streamlined and edgy design. Our Ghost Grey SX model comes with 19-inch black alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, dual-panel power sunroofs, chrome door handles, chrome skid plates, and a matte chrome-coated front grille.
The Kia Carnival has a ground clearance of 6.8 inches, which makes it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The dashboard is neatly laid out with dual 12.3-inch screens for the driver’s display and the infotainment system. There was no lag in operating the infotainment system, and we like the physical climate control buttons below. The layout in the front is very much like that of an SUV, and outward visibility is unobstructed. Our seven-seater Carnival features heated and ventilated first and second row seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, three-zone climate control, wireless charging, rear window sunshades, and a Bose premium audio system.
The second row is where you want to be, as the SX model has VIP seating. When the third row is folded, you can move these two captain’s chairs inward, where they can slide back even more, offering loads of legroom. These chairs have power recline adjustments and extendable leg rests, so you can take a nap or travel in true VIP style. These chairs do have a drawback, as they are not removable and aren’t practical when trying to get into the third row. When you do have the second and third rows with people, the Carnival offers an interior camera to monitor your passengers and the ability to talk to them by feeding your voice through the speakers. The cargo room starts at 1139L and can expand up to 4110L.
There are plenty of safety features in the Kia Carnival, including forward collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a blind view monitor that will display live video on the driver’s display when you operate the turn signals. The Kia Carnival has smart, functioning power sliding doors and a tailgate that open automatically when you approach the vehicle, but we find that the process is quite slow.
According to Kia, the Carnival gets 12.1L/100KM city, 8.9L/100KM highway, for a combined 10.5L/100KM. We achieved a fuel economy rating of 11.4L/100KM for the week; a lighter foot can enhance these ratings.
The base Carnival SX starts at $40,283, while our top-of-the-line SX costs $61,057.29, including taxes and delivery.
When you have a family, you don’t have to compromise on your next vehicle. The Kia Carnival is a great minivan with attractive styling, easy driving dynamics, and loads of room for your family needs. The Kia Carnival SX boasts a lot of standard safety features and family-friendly conveniences to make the experience enjoyable. The second row is sure to be a hit with kids and adults, but we find that a bench seat option would suit better if lounging were not a priority. While the current model year won’t have a hybrid, the 2025 model will, and that will be great news for prospective buyers.
