Kia Carnival

Kia introduced the Carnival in 2022 as an all-new minivan. Though it replaced the discontinued Sedona model, the Carnival shares almost nothing with its predecessor. That starts with its sharp new look, which is reminiscent of Kia’s highly successful three-row SUV, the Telluride.

Under the hood, the Carnival sports a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 290 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic routes power to the front wheels and provides smooth and leisurely shifts. Though not exactly peppy, acceleration is more than adequate for the segment. Unlike much of the competition, however, the Kia is not available with either all-wheel drive or a hybrid powertrain.

Minivans make great people movers, and the Carnival is no exception. It provides room for up to eight passengers (with an optional second-row bench) – or seven with the standard captain’s chairs in the second row. If you need a van with first-class accommodations, those middle chairs can even be upgraded to reclining loungers with integrated footrests, which Kia calls VIP Lounge Seating, but only at the highest trim level, SX Prestige.

The best values come at the lower trims, which still offer plenty of standard features, including keyless entry and ignition, power-sliding rear doors, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. All models also come with a generous list of active safety equipment, including forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keeping assist, while additional driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and 360-degree parking cameras are offered on mid-level trims (EX and SX).