2022 Kia Carnival

Yeah, we know. Not a great name for a vehicle tasked with giving the minivan market a hip makeover. But look past the embarrassing moniker and you'll find a people mover that is decidedly less dorky than its predecessor. Its striking exterior design is similar to that of the sharp new Sorento, if the Sorento was stretched and given a set of sliding rear doors. At the same time, the Carnival retains typical minivan strengths, including a car-like driving experience and an unimpeachable sense of interior space. For large families with an eye for aesthetics, the Carnival might just provide them an interesting alternative to run-of-the-mill three-row SUVs.

The layout is an impressive combination of digital and analog. The digital instrument panel and central touchscreen are joined in a single large frame, not unlike what you'd find in a high-end Mercedes. At the same time, the climate controls are all physical, ensuring you can easily modify settings without taking your eyes off the wheel.

Being a minivan, passengers in the second and third rows are given just as much attention as those in the front. This is especially evident in models with the VIP Lounge Seating option — a layout with second-row captain's chairs outfitted with heating, ventilation and legrests. Even if you stick with standard eight-passenger seating, a flexible new middle seat can slide forward, so watchful parents can keep tabs on their most precious cargo. The seat also converts into a functional table when unoccupied.

Of course, you can fold and remove all seats behind the front row if you need to pick up plywood while the kids are at school. Fold down both rows and the Carnival impresses with 145.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is right in line with the current class leader, the Honda Odyssey. We don't know how much gear the Carnival can hold with all seats up, but considering that the third row folds flat into the floor, the deep well behind those seats should be able to hold quite a few suitcases, soccer balls, and anything else an active family might need.

Tech goodies aren't limited to safety features. An 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, as does multi-device Bluetooth connectivity. On the options list are a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a rear cabin camera (to keep an eye on unruly passengers), an intercom system (when you inevitably have to reprimand said unruly passengers), a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and dual-screen entertainment monitors with Apple and Android device mirroring.