There was a time when a family wanted a versatile vehicle that could meet their needs, they would turn to a minivan without hesitation. Then SUVs began to invade the market, so that today, yesterday's stars play a much more diminished role.
The number of models available has also greatly diminished. At the same time, the companies that have remained in the segment are marketing more interesting models than ever. So much so that even in 2021, the most practical vehicle for a family is still the minivan.
At Kia, we still believe in this type of vehicle. We've even completely reinvented the one we were offering to provide an even more relevant model to buyers. This one is called Carnival for 2022, replacing the Sedona.
And how does it measure up to the remaining rivals in the category? Pretty well, as you'll see when you compare a few major points with another freshly redesigned vehicle, Toyota's Sienna.
Design
For many buyers, the idea of being seen in a minivan is what makes them lean towards an SUV. Yet the vehicle that can best serve their family is the minivan. To help them make the right choice, Kia has given its new generation Carnival an SUV-like design. It's visible in the front and rear, but also on the sides with a high beltline.
Then, on an interesting note, the Carnival's design has a little something of its own. Montrealer Karim Habib, who made his mark at BMW and Infiniti, is responsible for the design.
Space where it counts
In a minivan, whether we're talking about the 2021 Toyota Sienna or the 2022 Kia Carnival, there's plenty of room for cargo. One is as good as the other. However, the Carnival has a distinct advantage when it comes to space behind the third row of seats. And that's where it counts because a lot of times you have to put your gear behind the people who occupy the third row of seats.
And the numbers speak for themselves. While the Sienna has 934 liters of space, the Carnival has a massive 1133 liters. That's a difference of about 200 liters.
A more convincing drive
Finally, while the Toyota Sienna offers a good level of comfort and all the desirable safety features, the Kia Carnival does the same by offering all of that and a little more. In fact, the driving experience is reminiscent of an SUV, which is to say, more planted on the road. Braking, steering, composure, everything is more convincing here. What's more, taking advantage of a V6 engine for towing is always more reassuring than having to rely on a 4-cylinder engine, no matter how competent.
For all these reasons, the Kia Carnival is a more versatile choice.
