People’s attitudes towards minivans have changed drastically throughout the years. Once considered a strictly practical and unflashy way to haul kids around, these vehicles now go by another name: MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle. Kia has taken this idea and run with it in the 2023 Carnival. The model is genuinely luxurious, from its cutting-edge technology to incredibly comfortable reclining seats.
A glimpse of the Kia Carnival instantly evokes a mid-size SUV, precisely the sentiment Kia is aiming for, with its sharp design and sleek, stylish profile. But rest assured that despite appearances, the Kia Carnival MPV is a minivan, but one that blows every concept of the minivan away. The Kia Carnival offers the best of both worlds: a seven-seat minivan with an effortless, luxury SUV driving experience. Let’s examine why the 2023 Kia Carnival is winning accolades for its design and efficiency. Then, head to your Kia dealer in Victoria, TX, to test drive this condo-on-wheels.
Not Your Grandmother’s Minivan
The Kia Carnival makes a bold impression in the front with its wide, modern tiger-nose grille and distinctive LED headlights. Its sleek geometric tail lamp detailing lends to an overall contemporary appeal, finished off by a striking rear light bar that stretches across the full width of the vehicle’s body. Kia’s Carnival boasts a selection of exterior features that give it an SUV look, such as the rear skid plate garnish and silver C-pillar. On lower trims, 17-inch alloy wheels are standard, while power sliding doors and spoiler come with higher levels. The Carnival’s top trim, the SX Prestige, includes 19-inch wheels, fog lamps, and a power sunroof to top off its stylish design.
The Kia Carnival is a vehicle with generous space for passengers and storage. Its 121.7-inch wheelbase, 203-inch length, 89.2 width (with extended side mirrors), and 68.5 to 69-inch height make it stand out. The 2023 Kia Carnival boasts an impressive towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and a payload limit of 1,334 pounds, perfect for transporting people and their belongings. Whether on vacation or moving cargo, the Carnival is designed with the power and space required to lighten any load. The 2023 Kia Carnival has an optional tow package that includes a hitch receiver and wiring harness, enabling you to make the most of all your haulage needs.
Unparalleled Interior Quality
Driving the Carnival is a modern and comfortable experience. Its wide center console provides plenty of space for all your accessories, while optional dual-screen digital displays make it easy to keep connected. This minivan offers a luxurious experience with standard power sliding doors and high-end materials. From the plush leatherette to the modern interior design, Kia has created an impressive cabin that feels downright palatial.
Even the base LX trim is dressed to impress with soft-touch plastics and 3D metallic trim, while higher trim levels EX and SX provide a step up in luxury, courtesy of leatherette inserts. Buyers can also opt for the amazing SX Prestige edition, which features beautiful genuine leather on both seats and embellishments around the cabin, along with some truly stunning 3D embossed satin chrome finishes and eye-catching chrome accents.
Impressive Passenger and Cargo Space
Passengers are guaranteed to travel in comfort and convenience with the 2023 Kia Carnival. This MPV boasts an impressive amount of second-row legroom, more than any other vehicle in its class, plus a generous maximum cargo space allowance when all rear seats are stowed away. The LX model has seating for up to seven passengers, while upper models can fit eight comfortably. Unbelievably spacious front seats set this MPV apart from competitors. The Carnival goes toe-to-toe with its third-row rivals, offering an acceptable legroom of 35.6 inches. While this size may not be on par with other vehicles in this class, it’s doubtful passengers will notice much difference in comfort levels.
Seats in the Carnival come with three trims to provide varying levels of luxury and comfort. The LX features cloth upholstery on manual seats, whereas the EX trim offers SynTex material on the power driver’s seat and heated front ones. SX gets upgraded to include a memory system that can adjust seating positions automatically, while seat cooling options are added to the Prestige trim.
The Prestige is a luxury experience with its high-end genuine leather seats and heated steering wheel. LED ambient lighting illuminates the cabin, while a dual sunroof provides an open feel to the journey. With its Slide-Flex Seating configuration, SX Prestige offers comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, including a multi-function seat in the middle row. This trim includes a rear entertainment system and VIP lounge seats with a reclining power function and leg extensions.
The Carnival MPV is designed to maximize space and make any hauling task easier. With an impressive selection of flexible seating arrangements, it can easily carry your cargo without sacrificing comfort or convenience, regardless of size. It features second-row seats that are removable for greater storage, plus third-row ones that sink into the floor when you need more room. The Kia Carnival offers 40.2 cubic feet of storage space in its third row, ideal for bulky items requiring extra depth.
Your items can stay organized in the cabin with a vast array of storage spaces and options. Every trim features a center armrest with cupholders for the second row. Some higher trim levels also feature an adjustable multi-function second-row seat which serves as both seating and table when not being used, complete with built-in cup holders. Front passengers have a storage space located to their left as well as convenient cupholders. Third-row passengers also benefit from access to useful cupholders, making storing items easy while on the go. Passengers of all rows can use pockets perfect for stowing travel items, such as games, tablets, and books.
Family Safety First
The Kia Carnival is a vehicle you can feel secure driving your family around. Not only was it selected as the IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick, but its multitude of safe active driver assistance technology makes travel as safe as possible. Kia offers an array of advanced driver-assist features on the 2023 Carnival, allowing for a safer and more comfortable ride. High-tech systems such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic crash avoidance are standard on all trims.
When a collision happens, advanced airbags are there to protect passengers with a system engineered for intelligent deployment and inflation that considers the impact’s severity. Child safety is paramount in the Carnival, and the LATCH system in the second and third rows provides parents with a standardized way to ensure that their children’s car seats are securely fastened. The Carnival is built with safety in mind. This vehicle’s high-strength steel structure and reinforced body rigidity provide greater stability, strength, and security when on the road.
Plenty of Family Infotainment Options
The Kia Carnival offers an impressive array of tech features. From a 4.2-inch digital cluster and 8-inch touchscreen in the lower models, to the striking 25-inch setup featuring 12.3-inch displays for the SX and SX Prestige trims, this car ensures a family driving experience like no other. The Carnival’s center screen allows drivers to access the ingenious Passenger View feature, allowing them a clear view of their rear interior without looking away from the road. This perspective is made possible by an intelligent camera for the ultimate safety and convenience. The optional rear seat entertainment package offers two Internet-connected screens that maximize content consumption for passengers on long trips.
Whether traveling solo or as a group, these tech features will keep your family entertained in this powerful van. The all-new infotainment system includes cutting-edge features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and SiriusXM for an enhanced audio experience. WiFi access will keep passengers connected, along with a navigation system featuring voice recognition. With the SX Prestige, you can enjoy up to nine USB ports, two power inverters for 110-volt energy needs, and a passenger-monitoring camera with an integrated intercom in one convenient location.
Everything a Family Vehicle Needs
The newly-launched Kia Carnival brings style, sophistication, and innovation to the minivan market, redefining expectations of what a family vehicle should be. Equipped with an impressively competent driving experience, functional interior layout, and modern tech capabilities, this van is ready to take roads and passengers by storm. Luxury touches in the SX Prestige edition ensure that every journey feels memorable for both driver and guests. The 2023 Kia Carnival is the leading minivan innovation with its advanced driving technology, user-friendly interior space, and strong performance. Get ready to experience a remarkable vehicle crafted for your family’s needs with the Carnival.
