2024 Kia Carnival

MY2024 is the last pre-facelift year of the fourth-generation (KA4) Carnival, so every trim uses the 290 hp 3.5L V6; the hybrid and the retuned 287 hp V6 did not arrive until the 2025 refresh. 290 hp is the segment's highest output, but it lands low against the 150–550 hp band.

262 lb-ft is level with the Odyssey and Pacifica V6s. The high-rpm peak is typical of a naturally aspirated direct-injection six.

Car and Driver ran the same-powertrain 2022 Carnival SX from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 s. Other rollout-style tests run a few tenths slower, so 7.2 s is the central estimate. Edmunds' 8.3 s for the 2023–2024 van uses no rollout and is not comparable. That puts it mid-pack: near the Odyssey, ahead of the Sienna hybrid.

The 3.5L V6 is smooth, quiet and linear, with no turbo lag and ample thrust for a loaded van. Reviewers rate it among the better minivan engines, and it is clearly more refined than the Sienna's strained four-cylinder. It misses the top band because of a slight hesitation off the line.

The 8-speed torque-converter automatic is well spaced and kicks down promptly, without the ratio hunting the Pacifica's 9-speed is criticized for. It is one of the better gearboxes in the class.

Its 3,500 lb rating is the minivan class norm, tied with the Odyssey and Sienna. That covers a small boat or a utility trailer.

The 2024 Carnival is front-wheel drive only on every US trim. The Sienna offers AWD and the Pacifica has it optional, while the Odyssey shares the Carnival's FWD-only limitation.

About 6.8 in of ground clearance beats the Odyssey and Pacifica on rough driveways. But there are no skid plates, no terrain modes, no off-road trim and no AWD, so the van is pavement-oriented.

For 2024 every trim gets the same powertrain: 3.5L V6, 8-speed automatic, FWD. There is no hybrid (it arrived with the 2025 facelift), no PHEV and no AWD — a take-it-or-leave-it lineup, scored level with the V6-only Odyssey.

The EPA rates the only 2024 Carnival powertrain at 22 MPG combined. That matches the Odyssey and Pacifica V6s and sits well behind the hybrid-only Sienna. No hybrid Carnival existed for 2024.

19 MPG city is typical of a naturally aspirated V6 minivan.

26 MPG highway is slightly behind the Odyssey's 28 MPG.

Range is derived from the 19.0-gallon tank and the EPA's 22 MPG combined figure. The EPA publishes no range for gas vehicles, so the number is computed rather than quoted.

The EPA's annual fuel cost estimate at current standard assumptions is $3,050 on regular gasoline. That is typical for a V6 minivan and far above a hybrid Sienna.

The Carnival runs on regular unleaded across every trim, with no premium recommendation.

NHTSA rates the 2024 Carnival (pre-facelift KA4) at 5 stars overall. The frontal result is 4 stars because the passenger side scored 4, and rollover is 4 stars at a 14% risk, which is typical for a minivan.

The 2024 Carnival earned no IIHS award. It rated Good in both small-overlap tests and the original moderate-overlap test, but only Marginal in the updated moderate-overlap test, which measures rear-passenger protection. It rated Poor in the updated side test, where the left second-row captain's chair came loose from the floorpan. Kia changed vans built after August 2023, but the published rating stays Poor, which puts the van in the low band.

Every trim gets AEB, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (both brake, not just warn), Safe Exit Assist and High Beam Assist. The base LX falls short in two ways: it has only conventional cruise control, and its AEB is camera-only with no cyclist detection. Adaptive cruise with Stop & Go and Highway Driving Assist begin at the volume EX trim.

IIHS rated the 2024 Carnival's pedestrian front crash prevention Marginal. It avoided the 12 mph child-crossing collision but only reduced speed in the other scenarios. The fusion-type system on EX and above adds cyclist detection, but no measured result supports a higher score.

Every trim has Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and both apply the brakes rather than only warning. Safe Exit Assist, which locks the sliding doors when traffic is approaching, is also standard. The SX and SX Prestige add a Blind-Spot View Monitor camera feed in the instrument cluster.

Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist are standard on every trim, and Highway Driving Assist on EX and above ties lane centering to adaptive cruise. Reviewers generally find Kia's lane centering steady on well-marked highways, but it can be nag-prone and wanders on faded lines.

From the volume EX trim up, the Carnival has navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go plus Highway Driving Assist, a well-integrated hands-on highway system. The base LX has only conventional cruise control, and none of the trims gets the lane-change-capable HDA 2.

No 2024 Carnival trim offers hands-free driving. Highway Driving Assist requires the driver's hands on the wheel.

IIHS rates the LED reflector headlights on the LX, EX and SX Poor. Only the top SX Prestige trim, with LED projector headlights, rates Good. High Beam Assist is standard, but the volume trims carry Poor lights.

The upright seating, tall glass and low cowl give a good forward view. The SUV-styled thick D-pillars create a rear-quarter blind zone. The Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor that offset it are only on the SX and SX Prestige, not the volume EX.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware Acceptable. Five rear positions have complete LATCH and one more has a tether anchor, and the wide power sliding doors and tall cabin make loading easy. The second-row seats are heavy and can't be removed on most trims, and three-across seating needs the 8-passenger configuration.

Kia lists 7- or 8-passenger seating for 2024; the volume EX seats eight.

Generous front headroom, slightly above the Odyssey.

Front legroom is at the low end of the minivan band on paper, though the long cabin never feels short of space.

The second row has class-competitive headroom.

The second row has near-limo legroom, among the best in the segment.

The third row has 38.6 in of headroom and 35.6 in of legroom and seats three. Adults fit for real trips, and the sliding second row eases access, though legroom trails the Odyssey's.

The deep well behind the third row and the fold-into-floor third row give a large cargo hold, a little short of the Odyssey and Pacifica.

Maximum volume is strong, but the second-row seats have to be lifted out because they do not stow in the floor.

Storage is competitive: a big center console with a sliding tray, a deep rear well, a fold-into-floor third row and hands-free power sliding doors. There is no Stow 'n Go or built-in vacuum, and the second-row seats are heavy and removable rather than stowable.

The front seats are supportive. The second-row captain's chairs on SX trims and the VIP lounge seats on SX Prestige are standouts, while the volume EX bench is flatter.

The ride is composed and well controlled but slightly firmer over sharp impacts on the larger wheels. The MY2025 refresh softened it further.

The V6 is hushed at cruise and wind noise is well managed, with some tire roar on coarse pavement.

Tri-zone automatic climate starts at EX. Heated front seats arrive on the mid trims, and the upper trims add ventilated fronts, a heated wheel and heated/ventilated 2nd-row VIP seats on SX Prestige.

The 2024 LX is the cheapest way into a new minivan from the mainstream four, undercutting the Sienna LE and Odyssey LX/EX entry points by several thousand dollars.

The EX is the trim most buyers take (power sliding doors, heated seats, tri-zone climate) and still lands below a comparably equipped Odyssey EX-L or Sienna XLE.

Industry projections sit near the minivan average; Kia's long warranty keeps repair outlays small, but scheduled maintenance on the 3.5L V6 is projected at a normal-to-slightly-high level.

Depreciation is the Carnival's main ownership-cost drag: projections put it below the Sienna and Odyssey and roughly level with the Pacifica, and the 2024 sits one model year before a visible refresh that added the hybrid, which weighs on its used value.

Kia's 5-yr/60k basic coverage tops the band and beats every minivan rival's 3-yr/36k.

The 10-yr/100k powertrain warranty doubles the coverage of Toyota, Honda and Chrysler minivans.

Kia includes no complimentary scheduled maintenance in the US, which caps this below 50; it does include 5-yr/60k roadside assistance and a Kia Connect trial. Above the Odyssey and Pacifica on roadside length, well below the Sienna's two years of ToyotaCare.

$40,495 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (46% retained, or about $18,628) leaves about $21,867 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,800 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $27,667 in total.

2024 is the third and final year of the pre-facelift KA4 Carnival, a carry-over year with the early sliding-door software problems already addressed. J.D. Power rates its quality & reliability 80/100 (Average) and Consumer Reports' 2024 page reports it as more reliable than the average 2024 vehicle. That puts it at the top of the average band, just under the Odyssey (75.4) and below the Sienna (82.8).

Kia has turned its dependability record around and is now a regular top mass-market finisher in J.D. Power IQS, sitting mid-to-upper pack in VDS and the CR brand rankings. It stops short of 'consistently top-5' because its CR placement moves around from year to year and the Hyundai/Kia group carries a heavy recall load. This is a brand-level judgment, so it is kept consistent with the other Kia scorecards.

Recalls for the 2024 model year itself are light and minor: about two campaigns, the main one for roof molding that can detach. The generation's serious campaign, the power sliding-door auto-reverse fault (23V-236, with injuries and a later class-action suit), covered 2022 and some 2023 vehicles and not 2024. Recall activity is typical rather than systemic, which puts it a little above the Odyssey and well above the Pacifica.

The 2024 Carnival offers only the naturally aspirated 3.5L Lambda II V6 GDI with Kia's in-house 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. There is no hybrid until 2025, so there is no new turbo or battery risk. This V6/8AT family is shared with the Telluride and Palisade and has a good record, and none of the Theta II four-cylinder failures apply to it.

Reviewers consistently describe the pre-facelift Carnival's cabin as upscale and SUV-like for minivan money, with its dual 12.3-inch displays on upper trims and the SX Prestige's VIP lounge seats. LX and LXS trims use noticeably plainer materials. The 2024 car scores a little below the facelifted 2026, which gained a more premium curved display.

The 2024 Carnival won a J.D. Power Quality Award for the fewest problems in the first 90 days of ownership, which is strong evidence of consistent assembly in its third year of production. The score stays in the upper part of the 'generally solid' band, not 80+, because the roof molding recall and scattered owner reports of rattles and sliding-door issues point to some loose ends.

Kia has about 775 US dealers, so nationwide coverage is not a concern, and its service satisfaction is around the industry average. The network is still thinner than Toyota's or Honda's, which is why this trails the Odyssey and Sienna.

The V6 and 8-speed automatic are shared across Hyundai/Kia's three-row models, so mechanical parts are plentiful and reasonably priced, and the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty covers expensive failures. Minivan-specific hardware, such as the sliding-door motors and tracks and the long-body trim and glass, is lower-volume and mostly comes from dealers.

The volume EX gets the 12.3-inch navigation screen, and the LX has an 8-inch unit.

The Kia/UVO interface is quick and logical, and the 12.3-inch screen is crisp. The touch-sensitive climate and media panel draws some criticism.

Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto come only on the base LX's 8-inch unit. The volume EX and the upper trims with the 12.3-inch system are wired-only, which is an odd inversion.

Native navigation is standard from EX and well judged, and Kia voice recognition is serviceable. Most owners still default to phone projection.

The base 6-speaker and EX 8-speaker systems are adequate. The 12-speaker Bose is reserved for SX Prestige.

The full 12.3-inch digital cluster in the panoramic dual-screen layout comes only on SX and SX Prestige. The LX and EX keep analog gauges with a small TFT display.

The pre-facelift Carnival supports map and infotainment updates largely via dealer or USB. Broader OTA arrived with the MY2025 ccNC system.

The Kia Connect app offers remote start/climate, lock/unlock and vehicle finder on connected trims. There is no phone-as-key for 2024, and the connected services are subscription-based after the trial.

USB ports reach every row, including seatback ports for the second row, and EX adds wireless charging and a 115V household outlet.

Hands-free smart power sliding doors are standard, and EX and up get smart key with push-button start and a power liftgate. There is no phone-as-key.

A rear camera and rear sensors are standard and EX adds front sensors. Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor and Remote Smart Parking Assist are limited to SX/SX Prestige.

No head-up display is offered on any 2024 Carnival trim. A HUD came only with the MY2025 refresh.

Wide hands-free power sliding doors, an 8-seat layout, a slide-forward second row and a rear-passenger camera with Passenger Talk on EX make family logistics easy. The heavy removable second-row seats are the main compromise.

The full ADAS suite, Safe Exit Assist and Rear Occupant Alert are standard, and EX adds adaptive cruise. Crash ratings are good but trail the Odyssey and Sienna Top Safety Pick+ credentials.

Roomy first and second rows, tri-zone climate, 40.2 cu ft behind the third row and an available rear-seat entertainment package make it a good long-haul family hauler.

The smooth V6 and 8-speed and the SUV-like driving position make it easy to drive. Its size is the only daily annoyance.

At 22 mpg combined it trails the 36-mpg Sienna hybrid badly, and there is no hybrid option for 2024.

A 37.7-ft turning circle is tight for a 203-in minivan. Cameras help, but surround view is limited to SX trims.

A 3,500-lb tow rating and a 145 cu ft cargo hold handle light trade or delivery duty.

The Lambda V6 and 8-speed are proven, but the Carnival has no fleet or commercial track record.

Cargo tie-downs, a 115V outlet and a flat floor are useful, but there is no upfit ecosystem and the second row has to be removed for bulky loads.

The quiet cabin, comfortable seats and Highway Driving Assist on upper trims make it a good tourer. The 22-mpg average limits range.

The Carnival is FWD only with 6.8 in of ground clearance, though the 3,500-lb tow rating covers small campers and toys.

A deep well behind the third row, a fold-flat third row and 145 cu ft maximum swallow bulky gear. Removable rather than stowable second-row seats cost points.

Body control is secure and SUV-like with reasonable grip, but it is not as tied-down as the Odyssey.

The steering is accurately weighted but numb, as is typical of the class.

The brakes are adequate and the pedal is progressive. Instrumented stops are mid-pack for the segment.

The 290-hp V6 and 8-speed automatic are smooth and responsive, with decisive shifts.

The V6 is refined and quiet at cruise, with a pleasant if audible note under hard acceleration.

A tight turning circle for a full-size minivan.

The high, SUV-like seating position gives good outward visibility, and the controls are well placed. The shared touch panel for climate and media is the main ergonomic gripe.

The Carnival is more engaging than most minivans thanks to the punchy V6, but it is still a family appliance at heart.

The $34,995 LX includes the 287-hp V6, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Kia's Drive Wise basics (forward collision avoidance, lane keeping, blind-spot warning). It undercuts the Sienna LE by several thousand. Power sliding doors and the larger screens wait for the EX.

The segment's lowest entry price, a strong standard V6, class-leading cargo space and Kia's 10-year/100k powertrain warranty make it the value pick among minivans. Weaker resale and no hybrid or AWD option in 2024 are the offsets.

Four trims plus an LX Seat Package span roughly $35K–$48K with 7- or 8-seat layouts, but there is a single powertrain (gas V6) and no AWD, so it covers fewer budgets and needs than the Sienna or Pacifica.

A steady seller, but clearly fourth among the four mainstream minivans by volume, at well under half the sales of the Pacifica, Odyssey or Sienna.

Kia's image has improved a lot thanks to design, strong J.D. Power initial-quality results and the warranty. Among family-van buyers it still trails Toyota and Honda on resale and on reputation for reliability.

Run-out 2024 gas Carnivals were discounted as the refreshed 2025 with its hybrid arrived, and Kia routinely offers cash and subvented APR. That is far better for buyers than the Sienna, which sells at or near MSRP.

In its third year, the KA4 generation is still current underneath. But the 2024 is the last pre-facelift year: the MY2025 refresh brought new styling, dual 12.3-inch curved displays and a hybrid, so a 2024 buyer gets the outgoing look and tech.

Reviewers like the Carnival's space, SUV-like styling, cabin quality and value, and it often ranks near the top of the class. It usually loses comparison tests to the Sienna on efficiency and to the Pacifica/Odyssey on seat flexibility, since its second-row seats are not stow-in-floor.