Spacious and flexible, approachable and safe -- the minivan is a marvel of suburban utility. The problem is that most people don't actually want to be seen driving one, so many shoppers skew toward cooler-looking SUVs. To combat this, the major players in the class have pushed minivan design in a direction that's perhaps best described as "sci-fi bullet train" with mixed results.
Kia's solution to the problem of uncool perception is to dress its new 2022 Carnival "multipurpose vehicle" in SUV cosplay. The result is a minivan that boasts all of the advantages and amenities of its classmates, while standing aesthetically apart with sport utility style.
The Carnival wears an upright, boxy design with a front end shaped more like Kia's Telluride than the Sedona it replaces. Details like the L-shaped, chrome C-pillars break up the minivan's profile and, along with the sculpted wheel arches and dark lower sills, help pull the eye upward to create the appearance of a taller, more rugged ride. At first glance, the Carnival looks almost exactly like a full-size SUV from most angles, but then you notice the reversed handles and tracks for the sliding doors and, suddenly, the minivan-ness of the silhouette becomes apparent.
This recall affects the 2020 and 2021 models with the 2.0-liter engines, though one in a hundred will require a new powerplant.
Not every cool car will break the bank. Here are some great options on the cheaper end of the spectrum.
With SUV style, luxurious VIP seating and intelligent amenities, the Carnival is a van you might actually want to be seen in.
Minivans are cool, but buyers prefer SUVs. Kia's solution? Dress its new 2022 Carnival in sport-utility duds.
If you want a utility vehicle that won't cast too large a shadow, compact SUVs offer a great blend of capability and daily usability.
With more power, more tech and more style, one of our favorite unsung heroes offers even more to like.
With more power, more style and more tech, the excellent Kia Stinger has even more appeal.