Which 2022 Kia Carnival Is Right For Me? | Kelley Blue Book - Best Brothers Group of Companies

2022 Kia Carnival

A spacious new minivan (although Kia prefers the term MPV for multi-purpose vehicle) with seating for either seven or eight passengers, the 2022 Kia Carnival is brand new in the company’s lineup. It replaces the 2021 Sedona.

A 3.5-liter V6 sends 290 horsepower through an 8-speed automatic to the front wheels only, as all-wheel drive is not available. There are also no other engine or transmission choices, although power is ample even when the Carnival is fully loaded. Steering is precise and the suspension is excellent. The Carnival is composed and the tuning smooths out any imperfections in the road. Outward visibility is also excellent and the brakes are strong.

Depending on the trim level, the 2022 Carnival has seating for seven or eight passengers. The cabin boasts several different options, including removable second-row seats and a fold-flat third row.

Cargo space is abundant, with 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row. That can expand to 145.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.

Standard features include hands-free powered sliding doors, keyless ignition, air-conditioning front and rear, and cloth upholstery. Standard safety systems include forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention monitoring.

As with all Kias, the 2022 Carnival comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Four Trim Levels

As the 2022 Kia Carnival only has one engine choice and all are front-wheel drive, the four trim levels are distinguished not only by their seating arrangements but by their various options and features.

The LX ($33,275, including $1,175 destination charge) is the base trim, coming standard with seven seats. Features are fairly basic and include cloth seating, sliding and removable second-row seats, front and rear air-conditioning, and powered sliding doors.

Infotainment comes via an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, Bluetooth connectivity for multiple devices, six USB ports, and a 6-speaker audio setup.

Safety features include forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors. If you want room for eight, there’s the $2,000 Seating package that adds a multifunction second-row seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat.

Near the top of the range, the SX adds roof rails, heated/ventilated and power-adjustable front seats, a dual-screen rear entertainment system, and a 360-degree camera system.

The top SX Prestige trim ($47,275) has VIP Lounge second-row seats for a maximum of seven passengers and adds a dual-pane sunroof, a 12.3-inch LCD driver information monitor, leather upholstery, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Options include a 12-speaker audio system and even a feature called Last Mile navigation, which sends walking directions to the user’s phone.

We like the EX trim, the next step up from the base model. It costs $5,000 more than the LX, but it also includes the features of that Seating package standard. The EX also adds a rear passenger camera with a zoom function, night vision, a hands-free powered tailgate, and an intercom system. There’s even a quiet mode for the audio system that sends the music to the front speakers only.