Because it’s no shock, the present automotive panorama is dominated by crossovers the place they’ve left different segments with a problem to win over the lots by being artistic and going outdoors of the field. Such might be stated in regards to the all-new Kia Carnival, a automobile that’s being dubbed as a Multi-Function Car (MPV) as an alternative of the standard sense of getting the minivan label. Whereas the brand new Carnival takes up the place of the outgoing Kia Sedona minivan, the MPV a part of the brand new Carnival performs fairly effectively contemplating many distinctive traits that make it among the best, most luxurious, and pleasant “minivans” I’ve ever pushed.
The brand new Kia Carnival, with a intelligent identify that performs on the liveliness of such a automobile, doesn’t look the everyday a part of a minivan at first look. The great appears to be like of the Carnival play to the tune of a crossover utility automobile (CUV), which isn’t’ a foul factor or an intentional means of Kia trying to shed the minivan theme. It’s, nevertheless, a means of letting CUV/SUV purists know that there’s a viable different to the world of paying huge bucks for a CUV/SUV when you possibly can spend rather less and get MORE – more room, extra cargo room, extra consolation, and extra family-friendly lodging. And that’s simply what you get within the new Kia Carnival, particularly within the top-level SX Status trim of my take a look at automobile you see right here.
Kia has finished effectively with their current Telluride crossover – so effectively that the three-row crossover is difficult to search out and comes with steep supplier markups for those who discover one on the native lot. The all-new Carnival doesn’t simply construct off the almost perfected method of the Telluride, however as an alternative, it takes the very best bits of what you anticipate out of a minivan and molds them into what has labored for Kia within the current previous for autos just like the Telluride.
The brand new Carnival will get the model’s acquainted 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque despatched by means of an 8-speed computerized transmission to energy the entrance wheels. The ability supply is easy, and the cautious stability of the Carnival is superb to push back undesirable entrance wheel spin. The Carnival rides first rate with out a full load of individuals and cargo however you possibly can inform that the suspension tuning makes means for loading up the Carnival with out a lot compromise within the journey high quality.
The gasoline financial system is generally constant on the EPA estimated numbers of 19 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway, and 22 mpg mixed. Although, the ability from the V6 engine appears a bit taxed if you load the Carnival up with a number of passengers, which yields decrease MPG numbers effectively underneath the EPA estimates.
There’s loads of “gadgets,” consolation, and lodging to be explored within the new Kia Carnival beginning with the cozy seats up entrance with heating and air flow within the SX Status trim. The quantity of tech filling the cabin is welcomed, as there’s a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen together with an equal-sized customizable gauge cluster that conveniently shows a stay feed of your corresponding blind spot facet if you toggle your sign – a function I’ve cherished for years since Kia and Hyundai launched such. The controls, with simply the suitable variety of buttons, are all straightforward to succeed in and principally user-friendly although the bodily buttons are the capacitive contact sort. There’s a intelligent passenger discuss system and video monitor that may be introduced as much as undertaking the driving force’s voice to the rear passengers together with viewing a stay feed of every occupant within the rear by way of the big touchscreen. There’s even a protected exit help that helps stop rear passengers from opening one of many power-sliding doorways from opening into site visitors approaching from behind. The ability-sliding doorways function easily with decelerate to assist stop finger pinching although there are the right pinch sensors that may reverse the door operation if it senses an object in the best way.
There’s a whole lot of deep thought put into the lodging of the brand new Kia Carnival, the place you can find the distinctive 2nd row VIP lounge seats that function an influence leg extension ottoman and reclining making the Carnival probably the most luxurious automobile of its sort round however with only a 7-passenger setup as you see in my take a look at automobile. The distinctive VIP lounge seats are exceptionally cozy with particular changes that enable them to be slid far again or side-to-side to open a small aisle for entry to the third row. Nevertheless, the changes of the VIP 2nd row seats don’t allow forward-sliding to entry the third row, which you’ll have to go for the 2nd-row bench seat for the straightforward ahead slide function in a full 8-passenger configuration. The third-row seating can also be surprisingly accommodating the place for those who slide the second row far sufficient up you possibly can simply get three adults within the again who’re prepared to take up residence for not less than a pair hundred miles or so. Manually fold the third row down and the seats tuck down into the ground offering that flat cargo ground that you just search for in a minivan. Fold them again up and you’ve got deep ground area for further cargo.
Different lodging made accessible within the Kia Carnival are a plethora of USB connections together with simply the suitable connections for the twin leisure touchscreens mounted on the again of the entrance seats. The items each function HDMI, USB, and audio ports and Bluetooth connectivity. So far as wi-fi goes, a WIFI hotspot was surprisingly lacking from the Carnival however there was the welcomed addition of wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a wi-fi cellphone charger up entrance. Different highlights distinctive to the Kia Carnival within the SX Status trim was two separate power-sliding sunroofs with a handbook shade, handbook sunshades for each the second row and third-row facet home windows, 360-degree digicam system, heating and air flow within the second-row seats, and the distinctive appears to be like from 19-inch darkened alloy wheels and an SUV-esq signature look that’s accented by thin-lined LED working lights and rear LED taillights.
Kia left hardly any stones unturned for what a modern-day minivan, aheem – MPV, ought to provide and seem like. Furthermore, the Carnival is priced competitively within the panorama of not solely minivans however alongside of crossovers and SUVs with the right premium and near-luxury attraction for a number of of people who clamor to autos that put on luxurious badges. My loaded-up top-trim Kia Carnival SX Status exams out at a value of $47,770 however on the base stage, a brand new Carnival might be had at a beginning value of simply $32,100 earlier than any charges. Such a cut price deserves a Carnival celebration!
