When the factory crossbars were taken off our long-term Kia Carnival, its highway fuel economy went up by 3 miles per gallon, or by 12 percent. When these bars stick out into the airstream, the more aerodynamic drag there is, the less fuel efficiency there is as speed increases. Based on the national average gas price right now, our research shows that taking out the crossbars increases the highway driving range by 60 miles and cuts the cost of gas by $14 per 1000 miles. At first, we were disappointed with how well our 2022 Kia Carnival used gas during the long-term test. We thought the $360 crossbars from the factory were to blame, so we took them off to see how much of a difference they made. The crossbars, which come with the SX and SX Prestige trim levels by default, can be taken off with the tools provided in about 10 minutes. To do this, remove the caps at the ends of the crossbars and loosen the clamps that hold the bars to the roof rails. The efficiency numbers went up as soon as we took it out, so we did our 75-mph highway fuel economy test again. On our second try, we improved our previous mileage by three mpg, from 25 to 28 mpg. This is a 13% increase, which was better than the EPA’s estimate of 26 mpg for highway mileage. Even though the units on our Carnival are good for aerodynamics, they make it much harder for the ship to move around in the air. Driving around town affects gas mileage less than going on the highway because drag gets worse as speed increases. When we took off our crossbars, our highway range went from 470 miles to 530 miles, an increase of about 60 miles. In theory, if a driver goes 1,000 miles and starts with a full tank, they only need to stop for gas once instead of twice. Also, if you used the national average gas price and regular 87-octane fuel, your overall fuel costs would go down by $14 every 1000 miles. According to the Federal Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation, the typical amount of miles traveled in a year is 13,476. If we assume that half of those miles are driven on highways, then a motorist may save in the high teens. That’s about the price of a one-year subscription to Disney+. Even though the Carnival has become more efficient, there are better things in the world. With a combined 33 mpg, the most recent hybrid-only Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica hybrid models we tested are the best minivans. Because our test vehicle had an all-wheel drive, the Sienna did a little better. The Honda Odyssey comes in second with 30 mpg, and the Pacifica, which only runs on gas, comes in third. Even though it has improved, the Carnival is still the least fuel-efficient minivan on the highway. The ultimate driving range, on the other hand, is a different story. Without crossbars, the Kia is only 10 miles behind the Toyota (530 and 540 miles, respectively). Adding a cargo carrier, kayak, paddle board, or another heavy accessory to the crossbars will make the fuel economy even worse. But the point is that it’s essential to take a few seconds to fold down the crossbars when not in use.
