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An image of a 2022 Kia Carnival parked outside.

The 2022 Kia Carnival Is Cheaper Than You Think – Tops Out Over $50,000

If you’ve got a family to haul around, a brand-new SUV might not be the best choice out there. In fact, the 2022 Kia Carnival minivan aims to sway you away from SUVs with elegant styling and a luxurious interior. However, Kia just announced pricing for this all-new model, and it’s cheaper than you’d think. …

If you’ve got a family to haul around, a brand-new SUV might not be the best choice out there. In fact, the 2022 Kia Carnival minivan aims to sway you away from SUVs with elegant styling and a luxurious interior. However, Kia just announced pricing for this all-new model, and it’s cheaper than you’d think.

Despite offering extensive space, the 2022 Kia Carnival starts at $32,100. However, if you want options and luxury features, the model can easily top out over $50,000. Here is the breakdown by trim levels.

How much does the 2022 Kia Carnival cost?

An image of a 2022 Kia Carnival parked outside.
2022 Kia Carnival | Kia

The 2022 Kia Carnival starts at $32,100. For context, the excellent three-row Kia Telluride starts at $32,190. As far as pricing goes, this is an excellent move by the brand. The result is that pricing won’t be a limiting factor when choosing between these two models. As a result, the Carnival has a chance of competing with its ultra-popular sibling.

Thankfully, the 2022 Kia Carnival doesn’t have an endless list of trim levels. The base is the LX which carries the aforementioned $32,100 price. From there, you can have the LX Seat Package for $34,100. The most notable upgrade here is the addition of SynTex, a leather-like material across the cabin. Additionally, this trim levels seating for eight with heated front seats.

Next up is the EX trim, which starts at $37,600. As far as the 2022 Kia Carnival lineup goes, this is the sweet-spot. This higher trim level gets you 19-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch touch screen, and a smart power tailgate, to name a few. In terms of safety, you get forward collision avoidance-assist, cyclist detection, parking distance warning, and highway driving assist.

How expensive can the Carnival get?

A look at the interior of the 2022 Kia Carnival.
2022 Kia Carnival | Kia

If you want the best of what the 2022 Kia Carnival can offer, you’ll want to look at the top two trim levels. The SX starts at $41,100 adds plenty of visual upgrades. These include satin chrome trim, roof rails, and gloss black 19-inch wheels, to name a few. You get a rear-seat entertainment system, extra USB charging outlets, and two 115V power inverters in terms of interior options.

Sitting at the top of the 2022 Kia Carnival range is the SX Prestige for $46,100. Despite costing $14,000 more than the base model, the Prestige offers plenty of luxury features to make up for the difference. These include embossed and perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, dual sunroofs, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system, to name a few.

Add up all of the optional packages and this minivan tops out at $49,925. Once you add in destination charges, you’re in over $50,000. As a result, this new model should serve a variety of budgets.

Is this minivan better than an SUV?

A turquoise 2022 Kia Carnival driving down a city road
The 2022 Kia Carnival in action | Kia

While it is too soon to determine if the 2022 Kia Carnival will overpower its SUV siblings, it has plenty of potential. Under the hood lives a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most notably, this engine develops 290 hp, almost identical to the Telluride’s output.

Kia estimates that its new minivan will consume 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 22 mpg. Given how close its stats are to some of the brand’s best-sellers, this new model should be a hit if buyers embrace it.