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Starting this thread for people to share their experiences with dealer pricing and ordering.
Dealer Pricing and Ordering Experience
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I've called 5 Kia dealerships in the area. Most aren't clear whether they can order a Carnival. Honestly, most don't know what a Carnival is. When I used the form on Kia's website to get quotes from dealerships I started getting calls saying they have Kia Cadenza's in stock (after very clearly selecting the Carnival). One dealership has said it is open and I can place an order for late March delivery but were only willing to offer MSRP plus tax, title, tags. I guess that's what you get for day 2 pricing. 
I agree! Most never heard of the Carnival. So I sat with one decent salesman and told him all about the Carnival!!!
He promised to go home and take the salesman's course on his computer. Kia better put some money into their training instead of fireworks and videos
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Thanks for sharing. If you do check it out in person let us know your thoughts!
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Heres their window sticker https://www.kia.com/us/services/en/windowsticker/load/KNDNE5H35N6060914
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Although the Carnival is impressive, I do not believe it will be as popular as the Telluride due to America’s love for the SUV. I DO think sales will improve over the Sedona and take sales from the Sienna and Pacifica. The Odyssey possibly too.
Although Sienna has better MPG and AWD, the new polarizing exterior styling (it really is terrible) and hard plastic interior (cheap rental car feel) will turn many away. The Carnival has a far superior available option list. And a meager four cylinder with CVT transmission allows the engine to literally scream on full loads with depleted battery assist on a hot Texas. No thanks. My mom
had a Prius and that combo is fine for a small car, but not to haul/cool down eight people and their gear. Needs a V6.
The Pacifica fixes most of these Sienna issues with AWD, a V6, a hybrid option, and decent styling. However, if you read some of the owner reviews and owner forum posts, the reliability concern isn’t worth the hassle. Too many lemon law posts and vans literally dying on them requiring tows. No thanks with a small family that depends on their car.
The Carnival has A LOT going for it in the minivan class but I don’t think it will outsell any popular SUV. Thankfully, it will remain the best selling minivan in Australia and very popular in Korea too. Kia likely produces/sells as much as other makes as it’s a true global platform. The Sienna and Odyssey aren’t.
Excellent insights... We have owned a Grand Caravan and a Honda Odyssey... The Grand Carvan's transmission failed twice in under 120k miles... The Odyssey has been basically trouble free since 2004... However, the Honda Odyssey seems a bit tired to me... Our preference would be an AWD... but we aren't going Hybrid and have reliability concerns with Pacifica... So, that leaves us with either a medium sized SUV or a Carnival... However, I'm going to take an aggressive wait and see approach depending on the pricing and initial quality reviews. Looking forward to other comments... thanks again!
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Video gives a good perspective on the size of the Carnival. I drove by my local dealer the other night because I was in the area. They had an LX towards the back of the lot. Since it was late I didn't get out of my car, I just stopped for a minute. My initial impression is that it is not as huge as I was expecting it to be. When you see a Sienna on the road it looks big. Bigger than an Odyssey and Pacifica. I was expecting the same for the Carnival, but nope, it hides it minivan proportions well.
Once they get their SX trim on the lot I'll go take a proper look at the Carnival. Should be there in about a week.
I drove 200 miles across Sierra Nevada to get mine today because the local dealer won't get their SX for another week. Most dealers are willing to sell at MSRP.
![Automotive parking light Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle]()
![Car Tire Automotive parking light Wheel Cloud]()
Good Surprise
- Mileage is as advertised, 28 MPG @ 75 MPH. The Volvo with 2.0T engine had 31MPG along the same route. A tank of gas can you get close to 600 miles on highway!
Like
Highway assist features work as advertised
Sound proofing is excellent, except tire noise (see below)
The color Flare Red, very few available in US but it looks brilliant under California sun
Power and transmission are amazing. The whole car moves effortlessly.
Everyone thinks it's an SUV!
Not like
Seats are stiff, comparable to my Volvo. Won't feel it for short distance but not as comfortable after several hours. The Sedona with cloth seats were softer.
Tire and tire noise. Continental Crosscontact RX is basically a starter tire - like the starter toner in some printers. It is also very noisy on rough pavements. I plan on replacing those at 20K.
Instrument cluster and arm rests are designed for low seaters, if you like a higher seating position with head closer to roof, instruments are harder to read and arms don't get rested
Back seat entertainment screens shakes a lot more than expected
Bad Surprise
Blind spot alert is broken - only working intermittently. Already talked to dealer and will have it fixed. Anyone else have this problem?
Seats were the wrong color, they were black not two-tone grey as shown on window sticker. Not that I mind but wow.
Good Surprise
- Mileage is as advertised, 28 MPG @ 75 MPH. The Volvo with 2.0T engine had 31MPG along the same route. A tank of gas can you get close to 600 miles on highway!
Like
Highway assist features work as advertised
Sound proofing is excellent, except tire noise (see below)
The color Flare Red, very few available in US but it looks brilliant under California sun
Power and transmission are amazing. The whole car moves effortlessly.
Everyone thinks it's an SUV!
Not like
Seats are stiff, comparable to my Volvo. Won't feel it for short distance but not as comfortable after several hours. The Sedona with cloth seats were softer.
Tire and tire noise. Continental Crosscontact RX is basically a starter tire - like the starter toner in some printers. It is also very noisy on rough pavements. I plan on replacing those at 20K.
Instrument cluster and arm rests are designed for low seaters, if you like a higher seating position with head closer to roof, instruments are harder to read and arms don't get rested
Back seat entertainment screens shakes a lot more than expected
Bad Surprise
Blind spot alert is broken - only working intermittently. Already talked to dealer and will have it fixed. Anyone else have this problem?
Seats were the wrong color, they were black not two-tone grey as shown on window sticker. Not that I mind but wow.
Instrument cluster is not full digital. Console screen is definitely 12.3. The blind spot alert is the warning lights on mirrors and the sound it makes.
I looked online again, looks like you can even configure a red with black interior. Here is another dealer with a red one in stock. Also black interior.
I looked online again, looks like you can even configure a red with black interior. Here is another dealer with a red one in stock. Also black interior.
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545 Posts
The trims and associated options are a debacle of epic proportions. Kia Media relations have gone silent. SX Prestige was to only have 12.3" all digital dash screen, second row captains chairs, along with the dual panoramic sunroof.
TL;DR - The only options sheet you can trust is what's listed on the window sticker.
TL;DR - The only options sheet you can trust is what's listed on the window sticker.
Thanks for sharing. I still think it’s so strange they moved the power sliding door buttons from the center console to where the gas refuel button typically is. Makes no sense to me.Instrument cluster is not full digital. Console screen is definitely 12.3. The blind spot alert is the warning lights on mirrors and the sound it makes.
I looked online again, looks like you can even configure a red with black interior. Here is another dealer with a red one in stock. Also black interior.
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