2022 Kia Carnival SX, The Multipurpose Vehicle Turning Heads

Minivans are probably not as popular nowadays, going the way of the Sedan, falling victim to the growing SUV and crossover trend. KIA recognizes that the minivan isn’t going to sell, but there is a market for large vehicles, which is why the 2022 Kia Carnival SX has been entirely redesigned and restyled to look like an SUV. Most people will be hard-pressed to tell that it relates to the Sedona introduced by Kia back in 2002. 

Sure, the long tubular design can be hard not to notice, but the redesigned nose, with aluminum cladding, across the C-pillar, tends to give it that sexy SUV look that didn’t fail to turn heads during our review. If anything, the vehicle looks premium but does it drive as well? That’s what we wanted to find out in our review of the 2022 Kia Carnival SX. 

Design Impressions 

KIA understands that consumers in the US are migrating to SUVs. That’s one of the reasons why the blocky design has been dropped for an upright stance in the hopes of getting some attention. If the reaction of those around us is anything to go by, we think KIA pulled off the styling perfectly, giving the vehicle that SUV look. However, unlike an SUV, the 2022 Kia Carnival SX isn’t as high as long and wide. 

The almost flat body line runs through the taillights and headlights, which also incorporates the track for the sliding door. The hood’s design makes it look longer, less droopy, and flatter compared to other vans. Furthermore, the intricately styled headlight elements tend to be exposed instead of being hidden, with the tiger-nose grille reminiscent of the Seltos crossover. Finally, the top-heavy look is rounded off with a full-width taillight and satin silver skid plate. 

Cabin Features and Comfort 

The 2022 Kia Carnival SX happens to be at the top of its class in terms of passenger and driver comfort. The SX sports bucket seats are equipped with heating and cooling in the front. The SynTex upholstery isn’t real leather but does an excellent job of feeling like it. In fact, it feels very premium. Head and foot space in the front is excellent, much more than its competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica. 

The space in the middle row is also very impressive. You have more headroom compared to the Toyota Sienna. The shoulder room throughout the rear seats is excellent, making it perfect for long drives. Furthermore, second-row passengers can choose to recline their seats. 

The 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space is the best in this class, easily beating the Odyssey’s slightly smaller 38.6 and the Sienna’s 33.5. 

Final Word 

Finally, the Kia Carnival SX offers excellent performance, at least when compared to competitors. When loaded to capacity, it can easily cruise at highway speeds, making it perfect for long drives with the entire family on board. Thanks to Kia’s new and improved shifting, downshifts are near impossible to feel. 

While there is no all-wheel-drive version of the Carnival, it is still the best vehicle for the price.