Specs, Prices, Ratings, and Reviews (2023)

Every Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine good for 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels. Towing capacity comes in at 3,500 pounds.

According to EPA estimates, the Carnival delivers 19 miles per gallon city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 combined. These are typical figures for a gas-powered minivan.

The Carnival excels in interior space, even for this class. The standard LX interior seats seven across three rows. A configurable three-person second row, optional on the LX and standard on all other trims, boosts capacity to eight. The middle seat can slide forward to put a small child closer to parents — or fold into a table when not in use. The SX Prestige is available with no-cost second-row captain's chairs, which reduce capacity to seven.

With all rows in use, the Carnival offers 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The third row can fold into the floor, resulting in 86.9 cubic feet. Removing the second row opens up 145.1 cubic feet, more than any other minivan on the market. Note the captain's chairs available on the SX Prestige aren't removable, so the official capacity remains at 86.9 cubic feet. However, they do slide forward to provide additional space.

The Carnival comes loaded for safety with standard lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, a rear-seat reminder, driver alertness monitoring, and front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Starting with the EX, the Carnival also comes with adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, front parking sensors, and an in-vehicle camera and PA system. The SX and SX Prestige pick up surround-view cameras and a blind-spot camera display.

The LX offers an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, seven USB ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The EX and SX feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless charging, eight speakers, and HD and satellite radio. A 12-speaker Bose system is exclusive to the SX Prestige.

The SX and SX Prestige can be equipped with a rear dual-screen entertainment system for $1,000.

The LX comes equipped with cloth upholstery, manual climate control, hands-free power-sliding side doors, heated side mirrors, proximity keyless access, LED headlights, a 4.2-inch instrument display, and 17-inch silver alloy wheels.

The LX Seat Package ($2,000) adds the eight-passenger configuration, leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 10-way power driver seat, and heated front seats.

The SX Prestige is the only trim with genuine leather seats, plus a heated steering wheel, full LED lighting inside and out, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and universal home remote. The no-cost SX Prestige Seat Package adds heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs with swing-out footrests.

Compare Carnival Trims Side-By-Side

…but it suits many people. Having established that driving pleasure is low down the list of Carnival attributes, let’s consider the areas where it literally and metaphorically excels. That lengthy body might present an uninspiring side profile, but it’s fairly pleasing at both ends, especially in a flattering paint color. Plus, the foursquare roofline and lengthy chassis engender huge volumes of interior space, capable of seating eight in comfort.

Let’s explore that a bit further. Sliding side doors open to reveal a tastefully presented cabin whose middle row seats can be augmented with a central chair that folds into a table or comes out (as do its neighbors). On flagship SX Prestige models, twin captain’s chairs reduce overall capacity to seven while introducing footrests and recliners. A broad horizontal dash combines twin screens behind a single pane of glass in the modern vogue, though the swathes of gloss black plastic found elsewhere aren’t optimal for the messy realities of family life. The ride quality is excellent, in tandem with comfortable seats and plenty of legroom. There are also loads of storage, from plentiful cupholders to deep storage pockets, and the large tailgate reveals a flat, well-shaped load space.

All the toys. A good minivan needs plenty of cargo space, but it also requires plenty of standard equipment. Here, Kia has the competition licked. For a starting price of $33,935, even base models deliver smartphone mirroring and wireless device charging, alongside power-sliding side doors. If your budget stretches to $39,435, our favored EX models bring twin 12.3-inch display screens, power everywhere from the driver’s seat to the tailgate, and the option of an in-car camera system for keeping an eye on suspiciously quiet children in the back.

By the time you reach SX Prestige models, standard equipment includes heated and cooled second-row leather seats plus a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, by this point, prices are north of $47,000. We’d stick with EX and add the camera system, especially since Prestige’s captain’s chairs reduce available legroom.

Keeping everyone safe. Minivan buyers are usually parents, with safety a top priority. The Carnival has excellent forward visibility, though rear views are impeded by the sheer number of headrests. Again, it’s worth moving up from the base model to benefit from safety aids like adaptive cruise, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

Whichever model you choose, you’ll benefit from automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver attention warning system, and active lane control. The Carnival is an IIHS Top Safety Pick (when equipped with SX Prestige’s LED projector lighting), and the fact the NHTSA hasn’t crash-tested it yet doesn’t concern us.

Final thoughts. The Carnival is a thoroughly likable and unpretentious vehicle. It offers an appealing blend of space, comfort, and practicality – all key attributes in any minivan. We rate the ride quality and standard equipment levels especially highly, while competitive prices are allied to a five-year or 60,000-mile warranty that extends to ten years and 100,000 miles for the powertrain. There are over 145 cubic feet of capacity with all the seats dropped, but 40.2 remains even with a full load of passengers.

What’s not to love? Well, base models don’t have the same aura of quality as better-equipped trims, and their cloth seating is a particular disappointment. The handling is wallowy and uncommunicative, though the Carnival was never designed to tempt BMW drivers out of their sedans. The lack of AWD or hybrid powertrains is a bigger concern, while fairly dismal fuel economy is something you’ll have to weigh up before emptying your wallet at the pumps on a regular basis. Even so, the Carnival is arguably the best minivan on today’s market, and it’s an easy vehicle to live with.

Check prices for the 2023 Kia Carnival »