Kia Carnival review

It’s very rare that a minivan would be any sort of stunner in the driving department, and the Kia Carnival is no exception. With either the hybrid or standard version, the family hauler is sufficient enough at getting around, but no more. Indeed, it’s why the Chrysler Pacifica’s car-like handling gets so much praise from us; it is the exception.

With the Kia, it’s basic here-to-there performance, not particularly boosted by the independent front/multi-link rear suspension, even when it comes to comfort. It’s fine, though the further back you get, the more the van’s movements start to feel boaty and floaty.

Putting aside any sense of dynamic driving, the Carnival’s performance sins amount to being really hesitant to engage between gears or, in the case of the hybrid, as it shifts between power sources. You’ll notice it when trying to quickly maneuver in or out of a parking spot, negotiating a busy street, or any situation that calls for haste. While far from a deal-breaker, this aspect does start to grate over time.

How does it handle in the wet?

For the most part, the Kia Carnival doesn’t have much issue driving in inclement weather, though when the going gets tough, the Kia has a hard time powering through. Encounter any ice, snow slush, or even mud and the Carnival’s traction systems send the FWD wagon into a juddering fit like a scratched compact disk. If you got that reference, congrats, you’re old enough to drive a minivan.

How does the hybrid compare to the standard model?

The standard model lacks any of the powertrain confusion issues, but the fuel savings on the hybrid are worth enough to overlook any of that. Between the two, the hybrid gets 11mpg combined more than the standard car, and that can easily be stretched further.