Built on a 190 mm (7.5 inch) longer wheelbase and 155 mm (6.1 inches) longer overall than the Sorento, the new Carnival is the biggest Kia.

With Sorento-like frontal styling and a school-of-Telluride side profile, the Carnival is very much a Kia and also very good looking. The proportions of the Carnival suggest crossover instead of minivan, which may tempt people who really want a versatile and roomy minivan but don’t buy one as minivans are unfashionable.

On the premium EX+ and SX trims, the driver faces, not conventional gauges, but a low-profile, but vastly wide computer tablet. Vehicle speed and other readouts are clustered in front of the driver, with infotainment functions grouped over the dash centre stack. The tablet rests upon a low-profile, horizontally-arrayed dashboard. Mainstream models feature conventional main gauges separated by an electronic info-panel. Like other Kia-Hyundai products, controls for audio and climate are quite easily understood. The rest of the design is very interesting, yet visually calm, and cabin materials, look very attractive. With second-row bucket seats, the Carnival can seat seven but can welcome eight passengers if equipped with a 40/20/40 split-bench second row seat. Unlike Toyota, who abandoned their silky V6 for the current Sienna, Kia has retained its sonorous, naturally aspirated V6 for the Carnival. The 3.5L-V6 produces 290 horsepower, power from with reaches the front wheels via a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. A full array of active safety equipment is available on the Carnival, but much of it is optional. Towing capacity is 1587 kilograms (3500 lbs.).

With forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, a lane keep assist system, dark-tint glass, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and alloy wheels, the base LX trim is comprehensively equipped. The LX+ upgrade adds roof rails, wireless cellphone charging, a power driver’s seat, power sliding side doors, a power tailgate, a leather wrapped and heated steering wheel, and is good value. Buyers must move up to the EX trim which gains blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors. a 110 volt power outlet and a power passenger seat and is reasonable value. The EX+ trim upgrade, which adds active cruise control, a wide-format computer screen in place of conventional instrumentation, navigation and fog lights but is a bit overpriced. The range-topping SX adds foot-rest-equipped,dual panel sunroof, reclining second-row captain chairs, middle-row ventilated first and and heated second-row seats, a Bose-branded audio system and leather seating and is very good value.

Average to above average reliability predicted during the warranty period.