Kia has announced pricing for its 2024 Carnival minivan. The Carnival is only in its third model year, meaning it's not in need of a major refresh just yet. In fact, the 2022 Carnival was our Family Fun Award winner back in 2021. Kia describes the 2024 model year as a "carryover model with minor packaging changes."
Recent spy shots have previewed a facelift for the Carnival, but it looks like it will arrive at the earliest by the 2025 model year.
Likely as a cost-cutting measure, the all-auto up/down and Safety Power Windows were removed from the EX trim level. Kia still includes them on the SX and SX Prestige trim levels. EX trims are no longer available with the Power Tailgate Delete Package, possibly due to a low take rate.
Pricing hasn't changed too much from last year. The base LX trim level starts at $33,200, only $100 more than a year ago. That model offers seating for seven passengers, but Kia also sells an LX Seat Package for $35,200 that ups the capacity to eight occupants with a second-row sliding flex seating. That mid-level EX trim costs $38,700 and the SX is $41,900. For an additional $1,000, those trims can get a Rear Seat Entertainment system with built-in screens.
The SX Prestige is the most luxurious model, starting at $46,300. It can offer up to eight seats for no cost or customers can get the SX-Prestige Seat Package with reclining captain's chairs. Sadly, the ultra-luxurious Carnival Hi Limousine with seating for nine and a built-in foot massager is still for the Korean market only.
We hoped Kia might make some small tweaks to the drivetrain, but it's the same as last year's model. All Carnival trims get a 3.5-liter GDI Lambda III V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Power goes out to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive is not offered, nor is a hybrid option. With fuel economy with 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined, the Carnival can't compete with the Toyota Sienna on efficiency.
To be fair to the South Korean automaker, sales are doing just fine without a hybrid model. More than fine, in fact, because Carnival sales are up 81% over the previous March record, making this Kia's eighth consecutive month of record-breaking sales.