9/19/2023 0 Comments 2022 carnival mpv sx prestigeYet it blends everything all together nicely. And the Carnival drives well but won’t be the enthusiast’s choice. The Carnival doesn’t stand out in any one area – it’s stylish enough, but not the prettiest, minivan on the market. If this sounds like the “jack of all trades, master of none” kind of thing, it is. It’s still comfortable, still offers the kind of utility van buyers want, and it all works in a well-done package. It’s not as engaging as the Odyssey or coddling as the Chrysler, but that’s OK. But they are useful – and the Carnival is one of the most useful out there. Minivans aren’t sexy, which is why Kia seems to want to avoid the label. I will let you decide if the extra scratch is worth it (for me, the heated steering wheel would tempt, but the rest seems superfluous), but both are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (the sole engine, regardless of trim) that makes 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission getting that power to the front wheels. Add the $495 paint and this unit tested out at $42,770, including destination. Select SX and you add a surround-view monitor, black alloy wheels, dual-screen rear entertainment, roof rack, LED fog lamps, parking collision avoidance assistance when reversing, memory driver’s seat, cooled front seats, driver-seat lumbar support, power passenger seat, more USB ports, and power-folding outside mirrors. In addition to the power rear doors, the liftgate is also power. Other standard features include nav, satellite radio, rear occupant alert, a system for viewing and talking to passengers in the way back, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless cell-phone charging, keyless entry and starting, heated front seats, and tri-zone climate control. The SX builds on the EX, which comes standard with forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, safe-exit assist, highway-driving assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and smart cruise control with stop and go. The SX and SX Prestige trims will cost you, but you get what you pay for, and creature comforts are nice to have when on the open road (or just boring old I-94, slogging through the Mitten). Road trippers will be delighted to hear that the seats in both the SX and SX Prestige were all-day comfortable. The long, sweeping dash that rolls seamlessly into the infotainment screen is attractive, and the layout of the HVAC and audio controls, located just below, makes sense. One of Kia’s (and Hyundai’s) recent strengths has been well-designed interiors that are well-thought-out, appealing, and laid out logically. Parents who juggle multiple devices among family members, take note: USB ports are standard for all three rows on these trims. And it was easy to access the second-row seats to get to the stuff I/we put back there. The cargo area swallowed luggage with ease. I never found myself struggling to find places to put stuff, whether traveling alone or with a passenger. What matters most to the typical minivan buyer, though, is utility. Never once, during either loan, did I take the keys and say to myself “only just a few more days until it leaves.” It’s quiet, the steering is heavy-ish though a bit distant, and acceleration is acceptable. The biggest difference between the two involved the addition of the SX Prestige trim/package (more on that later). Normally, I’d separate both loans into two separate reviews, but the Carnivals I drove were so mechanically similar that it’s not worth it. I tested two slightly different Carnivals last year, taking both on road trips to Michigan – one for work, one for fun. In this case, the Carnival excels at being a bit of a jack of all trades, while also being a good road warrior. “Good”, of course, is relative – some minivan buyers might prioritize a somewhat sporty driving experience (see: Odyssey, Honda) or excellent fuel range (see: Pacifica Hybrid, Chrysler Sienna, Toyota) or upscale amenities (see: The top trim of just about any segment entrant). Kia may try to tell you it isn’t, but don’t let them gaslight you – the Carnival is very much a minivan. The 2022 Kia Carnival is, despite what you’ve heard, a minivan.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |