2024 Kia Carnival: A Trim Comparison

The 2024 Kia Carnival returns after replacing the Sedona back in 2022. This stylish new minivan boasts impressive driving performance and a luxurious interior at an affordable starting price, making it one of the best minivans on the market.

2024 Kia Carnival Trims

The 2024 Kia Carnival offers a long list of standard features with its base trim, but you can find even more in its other trim options. Find a model that suits your budget and driving needs. Read on to find out more.

Performance

All trims come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that’s as smooth as a tall glass of vodka. The Carnival handles itself incredibly well, and the brakes are responsive as well. Front-wheel-drive is standard and the only choice with the Carnival.

LX

The 2024 Kia Carnival LX has a starting price of $33,200, which is the cheapest model, but that doesn’t mean it cuts back on features. Right off the bat, you’ll get an 8-inch touch display, a six-speaker stereo, HD radio, Bluetooth, and seven USB ports. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard smartphone integration features you will get with this trim as well.

The interior features seating for seven, upholstered in a comfortable cloth material. The second-row seats are sliding and removable. Rear doors are hands-free and power-sliding. You can also start your car remotely to get your interior cooler or warmer – depending on your seasonal needs.

In the way of safety features, you’ll get the usual suite of features like forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. Other features include driver drowsiness monitoring, pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors and vehicle exit warning.

Optional with this trim is an LX Seat package that upgrades the seven-seat arrangement to an eight-seat arrangement with synthetic leather upholstery. The driver’s seat becomes a power-adjustable version, and front-row seats are heated. Blind spot monitoring and parallel exit assist are added safety features with this package. You can get all that for $2,000 and for another $1,500, you can get a rear-seat entertainment system.

EX

The Kia Carnival EX trim, starting at $38,700, comes standard with seating for eight. It also boasts tri-zone climate control, a hands-free liftgate, and wireless device charging. The infotainment system includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, satellite radio and eight-speaker audio. Additional safety features include front parking sensors, cyclist detection, and adaptive cruise control.

Once again, the rear-seat entertainment system is optional.

SX

The 2024 Kia Carnival SX has a starting MSRP of $41,900. This trim adds on top of everything in the EX trim, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a power-adjustable passenger seat with memory settings, and an extra USB port. The front seats are both ventilated, and there are two household-style power outlets.

Furthermore, the Carnival SX boats a more rugged exterior styling, with roof rails, skid plates and LED fog lights.  The SX trim also gains safety features such as a reverse collision warning, a blind-spot camera monitor, low-speed reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view parking camera system.

As for optional features, drivers can add on a rear-seat entertainment system that occupies the kids, plus additional USB ports so they can plug in external devices.  Other features include a convenient auto-dimming rearview mirror and universal garage door opener.

SX Prestige

If you are ready to splurge on your new minivan, what better way than with the Prestige trim, starting at $46,300? This model comes with dual sunroofs, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated second-row reclining lounge seats (and, yes, footrests!), and a heated steering wheel. The 12-speaker Bose audio system, universal garage door opener and ambient interior lighting are other premium features of this trim. However, we should note that this trim only provides seating for seven.

The SX Prestige trim starts at $46,300. And once again, you can add on the rear seat entertainment, which will cost you another $1,000.