2022 KIA CARINVAL SX PRESTIGE

KIA TOPS OFF CARNIVAL MINIVAN

WITH SX PRESTIGE MODEL 

After a week late last year in the SX version of Kia’s new Carnival minivan, I recently has the opportunity for time in the top-of-the-line trim, the 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige.

The Carnival replaced the aging Kia Sedona in the South Korean automaker’s lineup and got such a refurbishing the company gave it a new name as well as labeling it a “multi-purpose vehicle” rather than the tradition “minivan” moniker. But really, if you can think anything but “minivan” from a glance at the pictures, you have a very fine eye.

It’s a bit sleeker than the ordinary minivan, but the sliding rear doors and overall boxy shape give it away. No offense to the creative thinkers at Kia, but the Carnival is a minivan.

For the economy minded, the base LX and upgraded EX trims offer the better bargain with a starting price tag of under $40,000, but both the SX and SX Prestige trims, which venture well into the  $40,000 range, offer more in the way of standard comfort and convenience features 

The SX I reviewed back in November included items like a navigation system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, USB chargers for all three rows of seating, wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and rear parking assist as well as blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

To that the 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige includes many other items in his base price of $46,100. That list includes a dual power tilt-and-sliding moonroof, LED projection headlamps and fog lights, LED rear lights,  Kia’s turn-signal activated Blind Spot View Monitor, leather seat trim, second-row lounge “VIP” seats that are heated and ventilated and feature leg rests for reclining, a heated steering wheel, and auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror.

All 2022 Kia Carnivals come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is mated to an 8-speed manual transmission. It is rated at a hefty 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque that makes driving very pleasurable. You might even forget you are behind the wheel of a minivan, a notion I’m sure the folks at Kia would appreciate.

Gas mileage is pretty good for a minivan with EPA figures of 18 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway, and 22 combined. All-wheel drive is not available nor is a hybrid version offered, at least for now. Front-wheel drive is standard in al trims. Kia pegs towing capacity at 3,500 pounds and cargo capacity with all seats in place is a generous 40.2 cubic feet.

The good news is that with all those extras there are no added expenses for optional equipment unless you desire a special color. The Astra Blue paint for my test Carnival SX Prestige, for example, added $495 which made the final bottom line $47,770  including the destination fee of $1,175.

What I liked about the 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige: The Carnival is well-equipped with lots of safety features (very important for a family hauler), and the extra features you get with the SX Prestige as opposed to the SX are nice additions. The interior is roomy and cargo space behind the third row is generous. The navigation screen is large and clear. The Carnival handles well, especially for a minivan, and the engine has good punch. There is a handy knob to surf the radio dial!

What I didn't like about the 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige: Places to put odds and ends in general are somewhat limited throughout the cabin. Even the console box could be bigger. Access to the third row can be tricky.

Would I buy the 2022 Kia Carnival SX Prestige? Minivans are not on my shopping list, but if they were, the Kia Carnival definitely would be near the top. You might find happiness with a lower trim, but if the extra $5,000-plus for the SX Prestige is in your budget, go for it!