2022 Kia Carnival Review

Price Range: $21,444 - $41,998

Kia Carnival SX Prestige Passenger Minivan Exterior Shown

The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival has some very attractive qualities. It boasts distinctive styling, a ton of standard features, comfortable seats and a great warranty. However, an underwhelming driving experience and some unrefined technology features keep it from being a home-run hit.

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2022 Kia Carnival Review

Pros

Lots of tech and convenience features for the price
Easy to see out of
Comfortable front seats
Great warranty

Cons

Ride can be a little uncomfortable over bumps
Some controls require too much driver attention
Unrefined operation of some advanced driver aids

What's new

All-new minivan that replaces the Kia Sedona
SUV-like styling
290-horsepower V6
Kicks off the first Carnival generation

Overview

Written by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

5/25/2021

Following its successful launch of its new Telluride and updated Sorento SUVs, Kia is turning its disruptive attention to one of the most unfairly maligned segments: the family-friendly minivan. So for 2022, the old Sedona is out. The Carnival is in, and it presents an interesting alternative to minivan mainstays such as the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Cupertino, CA

216 listings

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Certified 2022 Kia Carnival
LX Seat Package Passenger Minivan
$28,698
great price
$2,519 below market
- 40,331 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 8 Seats, 19 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- Dublin Kia (28 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Third-row seating
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Dublin, CA
Backup Camera, Android Auto/Apple Car Play, Bluetooth®, 3RD ROW SEAT, Alloy Wheels, Audio Package, Climate Package, Comfort Package, Heat Package, Lig...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (19 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNDNB4H32N6156535
Stock: 508600A
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 07-05-2025
2022 Kia Carnival
LX Seat Package Passenger Minivan
$29,488
good price
$1,944 below market
- 36,675 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 8 Seats, 19 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- Putnam Kia (24 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Third-row seating
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Burlingame, CA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (19 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNDNB4H37N6123238
Stock: K1128P
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-14-2025

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This people mover has a fresh look similar to that of the Sorento (if the Sorento was stretched and given a set of sliding rear doors, of course). At the same time, the Carnival retains typical minivan strengths, including massive interior space for people and cargo, and gains a few distinctive upgrades. One notable one is the option for reclining lounge-style second-row seats complete with heating, ventilation and extendable leg rests.

For large families with an eye for aesthetics, the Carnival is a solid pick for a minivan. You could even consider it an alternative to run-of-the-mill three-row SUVs. Read our Expert Rating below for our full evaluation.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2022 Kia Carnival on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

How does the Carnival drive? The Carnival's V6 engine makes a stout 290 hp, but in our testing we found the Carnival to be no quicker than the average minivan. Our test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. The gas pedal is a little slow to respond in stop-and-go traffic, and the brake pedal is overly sensitive at first touch. But you'll likely adjust to both over time.

The Carnival's steering has some vagueness off-center, so driving down a long straight highway requires a bit more attention to keep it in line. Drivability in most situations is on par for minivans. The eight-speed transmission shifts smoothly but isn't especially quick. If the minivan segment has a van built for the driving experience, it's the Honda Odyssey. All others, including the Carnival, sit together in the drives-like-a-minivan zone.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Carnival? The Carnival may well have the most comfortable front seats in the minivan segment. They are well suited for long drives and the heating and cooling functions worked just as expected.

The optional second-row lounge-style seats have some flashy features, but try them before buying because we think they're a bit gimmicky. You can only fully recline and extend the leg rests if you slide the seats fully toward the center and rear of the van. Even then, adults will not be able to fully extend the leg rests without having their feet touch the front-row seats. The third row isn't quite as spacious as in other minivans, but kids won't mind.

Our test Carnival managed to smooth out most bumps, but a few bad sections of freeway made our van shudder significantly more than any other we've driven through the same stretch. This minivan just doesn't feel quite as smooth or car-like as some other rivals. The climate control system heats and cools the cabin effectively, but the system's touch-sensitive controls offer no haptic feedback, which makes them cumbersome to interact with on the move.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The Carnival has quintessential minivan interior qualities. It's spacious, versatile, and easy to get in and out of. The Carnival's exterior design makes the rear sliding doors look smaller than those on other vans, but functionally the openings are just as big. Another advantage is the highly adjustable driver's seat; drivers of all sizes should find a comfortable spot. Outward visibility is excellent. The big windows and available surround-view camera system make it easy to know what's around you.

We're less impressed by the Carnival's smudge-prone piano black surfaces and lack of haptic response from some of the main cabin controls. Also note that the optional lounge-style seats can't be removed. We think the second-row bench seating will be the way to go for most.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Technology should be a highlight for the Carnival. On the upside, the optional 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display is huge and has crisp-looking graphics. The multitude of parking cameras erase all guesswork for those with spatial concerns, too. If it's USB ports you're after, Kia supplies almost two per passenger. Many of these features are included at lower prices than for the rest of the class.

But it's not all as rosy as it appears on the spec sheet. Yes, Kia sets the bar with this bevy of tech options, but not all of them are as polished as we expect. The voice control system is less intuitive and helpful than other systems we've tested, and many of the advanced driver aids don't perform as crisply as those in other recent Kia vehicles we've tested. Oftentimes the lane-keeping and traffic-adaptive cruise control systems seemed to be a hindrance rather than helpful.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? Naturally, the Carnival does cargo space well. In the more parent-friendly, eight-passenger configuration, the second-row bench is divided into three sections that slide independently for flexibility. They can also be removed, though it's necessary to store them someplace. The third-row seats conveniently fold flat into the floor. There is 40.2 cubic feet behind the third-row seat and up to 145.1 cubic feet with the third row down and the second-row bench seat removed. Both figures are among the best in the class.

The Carnival cabin has plenty of nooks and pockets for storing things, but you can find more clever solutions in other vans. Are you transporting children at the car seat or booster age? There's plenty of room for installing safety seats, but the Carnival's lower LATCH anchors are a little difficult to access.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Carnival at 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway). Compared to other V6-equipped minivans, official EPA fuel economy estimates are average. But it can't touch the hybrid competitors capable of 30 mpg and higher. On Edmunds' real-world evaluation route, the Carnival returned 26.2 mpg, which suggests the van may exceed the EPA's estimates in some driving situations.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Carnival a good value? Kia continues to offer vehicles with strong value propositions. The Carnival has a competitive entry price in the low $30,000 range and each trim level upgrade seems to sneak in a feature that either the other guys don't have or only offer at a higher price point. Build quality is very good and the interior materials are impressive. Another bonus is Kia's excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Wildcard

8/10

Kia is pushing the not-a-minivan marketing angle, and you might find the Carnival has a bit of counterculture personality. But in the end, everything substantive about the vehicle is straight out of the minivan playbook. Where the Carnival does stand out is with its technology features and value.

2022 Kia Carnival trim level differences

The 2022 Kia Carnival minivan comes in four main trim levels: LX, EX, SX and SX Prestige. Depending on the trim and configuration, the Carnival can seat seven or eight people. All are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine (290 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission in front-wheel drive. Standout features include:

Which Carnival trim does Edmunds recommend?

This is a relatively easy call: The EX trim comes with a smorgasbord of standard features from the two lower trims, and adds outstanding equipment that would feel at home in a luxury SUV. In particular, the upgraded technology and safety features turn the Carnival into a rolling smart van, and the 19-inch wheels are a better fit for the aggressive exterior look. We suggest avoiding the SX Prestige because its lounge-style second-row seats limit the van's practicality.

Compare 2022 Kia Carnival trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in California

$264/mo

$282/mo

Avg. Large Minivan

Calculate my fuel costs

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Kia Carnival Owner Reviews

3.8

41 reviews

5(49%)

4(17%)

3(12%)

2(7%)

1(15%)

See all 41 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Pretty Sweet Ride

Kayla , 04/17/2021

2022 Kia Carnival SX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

I said I would never drive a minivan but really needed the space of a van and then boom Kia comes out with this MPV Carnival. If you ask why they decided to call it that its because the kids are the circus thats my thought anyways. This Carnival has lots of leg room for all passengers in the second and third row. The seats will actually slide up and back for more or less room as well. It …

Attractive Junk

brig, 05/04/2021

2022 Kia Carnival SX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

This vehicle has some issues, but it's biggest issue is Kia Customer Care. It's brand new and already subject to two recalls. The outlets don't work (minor issue) and there's a faulty fuel pump which makes it a safety hazard to drive. It could have been a simple fix but there are no parts available. Kia blames the dealership. The dealership blames Kia. No one from Kia will call back …

New car with recalls and Kia dropped the ball

Cac, 12/19/2021

2022 Kia Carnival SX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

In July, I put down a deposit for a new 2022 Kia Carnival. 4 months later on October 27, I picked it up at Safford Kia of Fredericksburg. On November 16, I dropped off our daughter at school, and as I drove out of the parking lot, the side door slid open by itself. It took 2 hours before I could actually get the door to shut and latch. I drove it to Kia of Woodbridge (the closest Kia) so … they could look at it. A couple of hours later a service tech says “we were able to replicate what happened and see that the door doesn’t latch. We put in a part order and see that there is a nation wide back order for the part.” I called the dealership I bought it from - left multiple messages. Got a call back from the sales man telling me it wasn’t his fault and he wanted to be sure I knew. I called and emailed Kia headquarters and executives - nothing. Kept calling and emailing- finally heard from Kia that because it was a safety issue, “we’ve escalated it to Jeff”. Not sure who Jeff is because we haven’t heard a word from Jeff and it certainly wasn’t escalated. After another week of reaching out, I got a call from someone who kept telling me she “understood” my concern about the safety of a brand new car that I drove with our 7 year old in, with a door that didn’t secure And could just open. She just kept saying I understand but nothing has really happened. We checked our lemon law and told Kia we wanted them to buy the car back. Safety didn’t seem to be a priority, communication was horrible, and the entire experience has been beyond disappointing. “I understand” is all we have heard for weeks. The lemon law essentially says if a car sits for 30 days unusable that is a reason a car can be bought back by the company. Well surprise - on December 15 (29 days after the door slid open) it’s now a safety recall for the Carnival and fixed. What a miracle - that it can be fixed - 1 day shy of the 30 days. How so very convenient for Kia. We joke now that our problems will just be escalated to Jeff. They won’t get solved but they are escalated so - we’re good. I write this sitting in Kia of Woodbridge as they prepare a check to buy my car for a few hundred dollars less than I paid for it. I know they will flip it today and sell it for $5000 more at least. It’s a rare SX version with a tow hitch - I order exactly what I wanted. This entire process has me tired, sad, and disappointed. Kia didn’t care about safety - if they did they would have owned up right away. Kia didn’t care about us - if they did they would have returned an email or voicemail message. At the least - “Jeff” would have called since it was “escalated to him”. They got their money at one dealership and will manage to get even more at another one. I’m not done with Kia - they still owe me money, but the car is back in their hands and I don’t have to worry about whether a door will open or not when it shouldn’t. The only good out of this was the service department at Kia of Woodbridge who was handed a lemon and did the best they could to make things right - it wasn’t their problem. I will never set foot in a Kia again and I’m still waiting for Kia and “Jeff” to do what is right. I’m sure it will happen soon, it was after all escalated to Jeff.

An okay car

Drew, 01/07/2022

2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

Not much leg room on the passengers side. Some of the controls are in weird locations so you actually have to look for them while you are driving, which means your head is down alot while moving. We have the rear video screens, the Kia ad says it comes with wireless headphones, it doesn't, you have to buy your own. Every time you turn the car off, you need to reconnect them to your …

See all 41 reviews of the Kia Carnival

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2022 Kia Carnival video

Best Minivan Comparison: Kia Carnival vs. Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey vs. Chrysler Pacifica

Mark Twain may or may not have once said, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." We feel the same about the minivan. Once the go-to for expanding families, the minivan has taken a back seat to the midsize SUV over the last couple decades. However, we are here to tell you that the minivan is back and better than ever. In this video, Ryan ZumMallen and Mike…

2022 Carnival Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$264/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	40.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Carnival models:

Blind-spot monitor: Displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when you activate a turn signal.
Surround view monitor: Gives you a top-down view of the Carnival and its surroundings for tight parking situations.
Highway driving assist: Combines adaptive cruise control with automated steering to keep the Carnival in its lane, and can operate down to stop-and-start speeds.

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2022 Kia Carnival Review

Selling or Trading-In?

Price & Payment

2022 Kia Carnival Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Cupertino, CA

Certified 2022 Kia CarnivalLX Seat Package Passenger Minivan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2022 Kia CarnivalLX Seat Package Passenger Minivan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2022 Kia Carnival trim level differences

Which Carnival trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Kia Carnival Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Pretty Sweet Ride

Attractive Junk

New car with recalls and Kia dropped the ball

An okay car

2022 Kia Carnival video

Best Minivan Comparison: Kia Carnival vs. Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey vs. Chrysler Pacifica

2022 Carnival Highlights

Safety

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Certified 2022 Kia Carnival
LX Seat Package Passenger Minivan

2022 Kia Carnival
LX Seat Package Passenger Minivan