Minivans have ALWAYS been the best family haulers since the station wagon. Car like ride and handling with TONS of space for cargo. Far better fuel mileage than a full size SUV and most smaller SUVs as well. Yes, no AWD/4WD (usually) and only 3500 lbs. towing, or less. My buddy towed his bass boat for YEARS with a 2nd gen Pontiac Montana. Never failed to climb the ramp. I had a Dodge Grand Caravan and it was GREAT (194K miles with very few problems).
Looks like a nice rig. At 203” long it matches the length of a Lexus TX and is 2” more than a Grand Highlander, two SUV’s. I only know this as I’m trying to sort out what BEV Toyota is going to introduce for 2026 and the Kentucky and Indiana plants are where those two are produced. Toyota has stated batteries from their plant in NC and LG’s plant in Michigan are going to Kentucky and Indiana. So Tom, have you ever investigated Group 14 in Woodinville and Moses Lake? They’re right up your alley for cutting edge EV battery technology.
Carnival's even more space efficient than the Lexus and Toyota (and those aren't half bad). I'll believe Toyota's BEVs when I see them. I'm aware of G14, wishing the best for them. I deal in technology that's available and proven though.
I've said this before to the point I'm probably being annoying, but Kia whiffed by not making the Carnival more practical. The lack of center console space, sunglass holder, or even door pockets that can fit a water bottle-all in the name of being SUV-like-make it less practical. It's a beautiful car, but why would I want it when I don't have anywhere to dump stuff in the center console on the floor? It's just wasted space.
Im surprised to see that no Car-review channel is showing one of the Carnival's most appealing feature: "back facing second row" I guess no-one wants to go thru the trouble of rotating the seats during this events. Maybe when you get one in Seattle. 😊
TBH, didn't know that was a thing. The Kia staff has never pointed that out. But yeah, very little time to do stuff like that at an event. As it stands I impinge on my drive partner's time.
@@edgarzurita272 Are you in the US? The Kia team didn't mention this feature and I have to believe they would be all over it. While the seatbelt configuration would work, it doesn't seem like NHTSA would be happy with that kind of configuration.
Looks like the smart choice if you need the space, much better than buying something off road SUV thing where you pay for it tough style with both $$$ and less practicality than you could have had. Buying the car you need 99% of the time is the smart choice, it is much better than driving something that is compromised or plain wrong much of the time. And for that lat 1% you can always rent, borrow or even swap with a friend for the day.
It looks like a solid offering, but I still don't know why they use the 1.6T engine in their hybrids. Hyundai/Kia have the newer SmartStream engines which feature dual injection (port and direct injection) and I'm sure the 2.5L model would still fit in here with ease. This is a very large vehicle for such a tiny engine, so that engine is going to be working hard all the time which doesn't bode well for fuel economy and/or life expectancy.
I get why they did it, but I think it looks worse because of how they tried to make it look more SUV-like. And the touch buttons are stupid, but otherwise it looks pretty good.
One of the worst hybrid architectures. Too small (1.6L) turbo-charged engine. Dual-clutch transmission. Belt-driven starter, alternator and a/c compressors. Worst ICE failure points all in one drivetrain. Toyota, Ford and Honda hybrid drivetrains have none of these characteristics. Sure its cheaper but do not buy this thing. Lease only and give back at end of lease. V6 is the way on the Carnival. Naturally aspirated proven engine with traditional 8 speed stepped transmission. IMHO.
Couldn't agree more. After some 30 years inventing hybrid as simplified as Toyota, Ford; Hyundai/Kia making hybrid with turbo and 6-AT....🤔🤷 Is their reliable that good? 😎
With the Carnival, you paying more for less with the 1.6L hybrid. No doubt the top trim have all the bells and whistles, and above average driving and handling dynamics in it's class, but having read MotorTrend and the likes on the Carnival 1.6L hybrid, they all agreed the 2.5 ton van is simply too heavy for the "lackluster" and "underpowered" hybrid setup. Keep in mind, that's 2.5 ton curb weight, add a family and all their gears and it get even heavier. I drive a v6 Odyssey with my kids, and often merging onto I-5 in Norcal, it's a truckers corridor, I feel myself sweating a few times stomping on the gas onto the on ramp with a few semi trucks barreling down behind me, imagined doing this in a Carnival hybrid with 100hp less and a heavier body, no thanks.
So manufacturers are resistant to use minivan styling because of some weird(macho) prejudice, so we get a minivan shaped like this ugly box of tissues? Which is probably less aerodynamic besides.
If you mean that men won't buy van because of the styling, here's a fun fact for you- Toyota, Honda and Stelantis have told that it's not men that resist minivans, it's almost always women. Men actually like them because they're sort of like enclosed pick up trucks. But generally, it's the women who shun them. And women influence some 60% of all purchases so...
1:25 Kia highlights how much more expensive other minivans are at sixty grand for the top of the line while theirs is only $57k 😂 Meanwhile the slide shows their top of the line KIA HEV is only $52k at 1:31 As if at $57k three grand make a difference for that buyer
I didn't dive into the details but the Kia offers features that the others don't so even at the top trim, the value is there if you want all the options. Anecdotally, the Toyota van (which is the $60K model) is extremely hard to get nationwide and dealers often charge ADM. My dad ended up with the Carnival because the Toyota dealer was firm at $5K over MSRP. He got more features for $11K less. That buys a lot of gas.
@@DrivenCarReviews well their engines have a valve train ticking sound from the factory, see car care nut’s video, their transmissions fail far too often, and apparently you call steal a Kia with a usb drive so they better be cheap. Not cheap enough though
Tom is the best in the industry. Thank you yet again for a concise and info-filled video.
Good morning, Tom. Thanks
Does have good SUV vibes. Not bad.
Thank you for the review!
This is so so so much better than wee~wee Toyota Sienna hybrid.
And the best looking Minivan!
If I could buy it in Poland like Staria from Hyundai - Please Kia, make it work !!
Minivans have ALWAYS been the best family haulers since the station wagon. Car like ride and handling with TONS of space for cargo. Far better fuel mileage than a full size SUV and most smaller SUVs as well. Yes, no AWD/4WD (usually) and only 3500 lbs. towing, or less. My buddy towed his bass boat for YEARS with a 2nd gen Pontiac Montana. Never failed to climb the ramp. I had a Dodge Grand Caravan and it was GREAT (194K miles with very few problems).
Hi Tom From Minnesota. Hope everything's okay in Seattle
Everything's great in Seatown. Things must be looking good up in the north country. I miss the autumns there.
Looks like a nice rig.
At 203” long it matches the length of a Lexus TX and is 2” more than a Grand Highlander, two SUV’s. I only know this as I’m trying to sort out what BEV Toyota is going to introduce for 2026 and the Kentucky and Indiana plants are where those two are produced. Toyota has stated batteries from their plant in NC and LG’s plant in Michigan are going to Kentucky and Indiana.
So Tom, have you ever investigated Group 14 in Woodinville and Moses Lake? They’re right up your alley for cutting edge EV battery technology.
Carnival's even more space efficient than the Lexus and Toyota (and those aren't half bad). I'll believe Toyota's BEVs when I see them. I'm aware of G14, wishing the best for them. I deal in technology that's available and proven though.
I've said this before to the point I'm probably being annoying, but Kia whiffed by not making the Carnival more practical. The lack of center console space, sunglass holder, or even door pockets that can fit a water bottle-all in the name of being SUV-like-make it less practical. It's a beautiful car, but why would I want it when I don't have anywhere to dump stuff in the center console on the floor? It's just wasted space.
Im surprised to see that no Car-review channel is showing one of the Carnival's most appealing feature: "back facing second row" I guess no-one wants to go thru the trouble of rotating the seats during this events. Maybe when you get one in Seattle. 😊
TBH, didn't know that was a thing. The Kia staff has never pointed that out. But yeah, very little time to do stuff like that at an event. As it stands I impinge on my drive partner's time.
we don't get that in the US
According to Kia, it's only available on the 8 seater.
@@edgarzurita272 Are you in the US? The Kia team didn't mention this feature and I have to believe they would be all over it. While the seatbelt configuration would work, it doesn't seem like NHTSA would be happy with that kind of configuration.
Looks like the smart choice if you need the space, much better than buying something off road SUV thing where you pay for it tough style with both $$$ and less practicality than you could have had.
Buying the car you need 99% of the time is the smart choice, it is much better than driving something that is compromised or plain wrong much of the time. And for that lat 1% you can always rent, borrow or even swap with a friend for the day.
Tom, If I watch your videos on my TV, I miss out on the Comments section. 😉
What? 😅
You can still read comments while watching the video on TV.
i read the comments on my tv too, youtube app allows for that
On a Monday 😊
It looks like a solid offering, but I still don't know why they use the 1.6T engine in their hybrids. Hyundai/Kia have the newer SmartStream engines which feature dual injection (port and direct injection) and I'm sure the 2.5L model would still fit in here with ease. This is a very large vehicle for such a tiny engine, so that engine is going to be working hard all the time which doesn't bode well for fuel economy and/or life expectancy.
I get why they did it, but I think it looks worse because of how they tried to make it look more SUV-like. And the touch buttons are stupid, but otherwise it looks pretty good.
You might be the only person that doesn't like the more truck-like design approach.
@@DrivenCarReviews Haha maybe. I just don't care for something trying to masquerade as something it's not.
Is this more or less the same thing as the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Tom, will you be doing a complete review of the Crown Signia?
If I can get one, yes.
i want to hear what scotty kilmer thinks about the powertrain lmao
One of the worst hybrid architectures. Too small (1.6L) turbo-charged engine. Dual-clutch transmission. Belt-driven starter, alternator and a/c compressors. Worst ICE failure points all in one drivetrain. Toyota, Ford and Honda hybrid drivetrains have none of these characteristics. Sure its cheaper but do not buy this thing. Lease only and give back at end of lease. V6 is the way on the Carnival. Naturally aspirated proven engine with traditional 8 speed stepped transmission. IMHO.
Couldn't agree more.
After some 30 years inventing hybrid as simplified as Toyota, Ford; Hyundai/Kia making hybrid with turbo and 6-AT....🤔🤷
Is their reliable that good? 😎
This uses a torque converter automatic.
Are you thinking of the 8-speed dual clutch?
With the Carnival, you paying more for less with the 1.6L hybrid. No doubt the top trim have all the bells and whistles, and above average driving and handling dynamics in it's class, but having read MotorTrend and the likes on the Carnival 1.6L hybrid, they all agreed the 2.5 ton van is simply too heavy for the "lackluster" and "underpowered" hybrid setup. Keep in mind, that's 2.5 ton curb weight, add a family and all their gears and it get even heavier. I drive a v6 Odyssey with my kids, and often merging onto I-5 in Norcal, it's a truckers corridor, I feel myself sweating a few times stomping on the gas onto the on ramp with a few semi trucks barreling down behind me, imagined doing this in a Carnival hybrid with 100hp less and a heavier body, no thanks.
So manufacturers are resistant to use minivan styling because of some weird(macho) prejudice, so we get a minivan shaped like this ugly box of tissues? Which is probably less aerodynamic besides.
If you mean that men won't buy van because of the styling, here's a fun fact for you- Toyota, Honda and Stelantis have told that it's not men that resist minivans, it's almost always women. Men actually like them because they're sort of like enclosed pick up trucks. But generally, it's the women who shun them. And women influence some 60% of all purchases so...
1.6L on a minivan? Yeessh
1:25 Kia highlights how much more expensive other minivans are at sixty grand for the top of the line while theirs is only $57k 😂
Meanwhile the slide shows their top of the line KIA HEV is only $52k at 1:31
As if at $57k three grand make a difference for that buyer
I didn't dive into the details but the Kia offers features that the others don't so even at the top trim, the value is there if you want all the options. Anecdotally, the Toyota van (which is the $60K model) is extremely hard to get nationwide and dealers often charge ADM. My dad ended up with the Carnival because the Toyota dealer was firm at $5K over MSRP. He got more features for $11K less. That buys a lot of gas.
@@DrivenCarReviews well their engines have a valve train ticking sound from the factory, see car care nut’s video, their transmissions fail far too often, and apparently you call steal a Kia with a usb drive so they better be cheap. Not cheap enough though