Overview Despite an undeniable practicality, the minivan continues to suffer the stigma of being, well, a minivan. The 2026 Kia Carnival slips under that judgmental radar thanks to its almost SUV-like styling. It’s all minivan inside, however, delivering ample interior space and limo-like comfort while retaining 40 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. And it manages to fit all that into a package with an overall length nearly two feet shorter than a Chevy Suburban’s. A 287-hp V-6 engine provides adequate acceleration and helps the Carnival return respectable fuel efficiency with highway mileage in the mid-to-upper 20s. Though the Chrysler Pacifica and the Honda Odyssey may offer a bit more overall interior space, neither can match the Carnival’s comparatively rugged exterior. What’s New for 2026?After a mild refresh for 2025, the 2026 Kia Carnival carries over virtually unchanged.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Kia Carnival is expected to start around $39,000 and go up to $53,000 depending on the trim and options.LX$39,000 (est)LXS$41,000 (est)EX$43,000 (est)SX$48,000 (est)SX Prestige$53,000 (est)The Carnival is offered in five trim levels ranging from the value-oriented LX to the deluxe SX Prestige, but the EX represents the sweet spot between features and price. The EX trim comes with several convenience features that help to justify the cost of upgrading, including a power-operated rear liftgate, an in-cabin intercom, and a voice-control system that allows rear-seat passengers to provide commands to the Carnival’s infotainment system.Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 churning out a healthy 287 horsepower; an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is not on the menu, as the Carnival is offered as a front-wheel-drive model only. Kia also offers the Carnival Hybrid, which gets a 242-hp turbocharged hybrid powertrain, but we review that model separately. We’re impressed by the Carnival’s well-balanced ride and handling, which is smooth when cruising but still composed in corners.0–60-MPH TimesThe refined V-6 engine provides sprightly acceleration and powered the Carnival to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds at our test track.More on the Carnival MinivanTowing and Payload Capacity The Kia Carnival is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Carnival yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. We tested a Carnival on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it returned 28 mpg highway—2 mpg higher than its EPA rating. For more information about the Carnival’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoThe Carnival’s dashboard and front-seat area are both modern and accommodating. A large center console offers plenty of small-item storage, while an optional Mercedes-style dual-screen infotainment system with a digital gauge display gives you easy access to the van’s connectivity features. The upscale SX Prestige trim comes with leather upholstery and can be ordered with reclining second-row seats that have pop-up footrests. While these “VIP Seats” provide a relaxing way for passengers to while away the hours on a long road trip, they, unfortunately, cannot be removed or stowed in the floor as in rival minivans, which limits the Carnival’s maximum cargo space. A panoramic sunroof is optional and provides a large opening over the second row so the kids can get some fresh air. In our testing, we fit 14 carry-on suitcases behind the third row of seats and a whopping 48 in total with all seats folded. That’s a ton of cargo space, but it should be noted that both the Pacifica and Odyssey proved slightly more spacious.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityWhile a single 12.0-inch infotainment screen is standard, dual 12.3-inch displays that stretch across two-thirds of the Carnival’s dashboard are optional, with one serving as a digital gauge display and the other performing infotainment duties. A voice assistant is integrated into the infotainment software and occupants can verbally ask the car to perform tasks such as opening a window, adjusting the climate control, or navigating to a destination. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. Seven USB ports dot the Carnival’s cabin and there are two regular power outlets provided too. A rear-seat entertainment system adds two 14.6-inch monitors in the rear, allowing passengers to stream content while on the go; a 12-speaker Bose stereo is also available. How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesKia offers many standard driver-assistance features, including lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, and blind-spot monitoring, all of which help the Carnival compete with the Pacifica, the Sienna, and the Honda Odyssey. For more information about the Carnival’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageKia’s warranty trumps its rivals, with a powertrain policy that spans 10 years or 100,000 miles. Unlike the Sienna, though, the Carnival doesn’t come with any complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
SpecificationsSpecifications
2022 Kia Carnival
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door van
PRICE AS TESTED
$42,770 (base price: $33,275)
ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
212 in3, 3470 cm3
Power
290 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque
262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-inch disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact RX, 235/55R-19 101H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 121.7 in
Length: 203.0 in
Width: 78.5 in
Height: 68.5 in
Passenger volume: 167 ft3
Cargo volume: 40 ft3
Curb weight: 4644 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.0 sec
100 mph: 17.8 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.0 sec
1/4 mile: 15.3 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 118 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 173 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 22/19/26 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
