- kia has released u.s. details for the 2022 carnival minivan, which replaces the sedona.
- it has a 3.5-liter v-6 engine, offers seating for seven or eight passengers, and comes in lx, ex, and sx trim levels.
- the carnival will arrive at u.s. dealerships in the second quarter of 2021.
the latest generation of kia's minivan is finally set to land in the u.s., and it'll wear a new name and a new logo when it does. say hello to the 2022 kia carnival, which replaces the sedona and will be the first new kia on our shores to wear the company's new emblem. compared with its predecessor, the carnival also offers a more stylish look, more power, additional cargo space, and new features.
the u.s. version of the carnival doesn't look much different than the global model we saw several months ago. its longer hood and chunky c-pillar attempt to give it more suv-like proportions, but we simply see it as a good-looking van. inside, the boxier body contributes to a few extra cubic feet of cargo space with the third row of seats folded and the second-row seats removed.
an eight-passenger setup is standard, with a second-row bench that has a configurable middle seat that can slide closer to the front seats or fold to become a table. second-row captain's chairs are optional, and the top sx-prestige trim level has a special setup with power-adjustable recliner-style captain's chairs with an ottoman and special headrests. unlike the standard setup, though, these so-called vip lounge seats are not removable.
the sole powertrain is a 3.5-liter v-6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and an eight-speed automatic transmission. unlike competitors such as the toyota sienna and chrysler pacifica, the carnival is front-wheel drive and offers neither all-wheel drive nor a hybrid variant. kia says the van can tow up to 3500 pounds, matching the sienna.
the carnival's interior looks far more upscale than the outgoing sedona's, and the pictured model has a interesting shade of brown leather upholstery. an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen is standard, with both a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital gauge cluster screen optional. there are also available dual entertainment screens for rear passengers that have smartphone-mirroring capabilities. standard and optional family-friendly features include an intercom system, power sliding doors and a power tailgate, a camera that offers a view of the rear passengers, and various rear-seat usb ports and power outlets.
kia hasn't yet detailed what equipment is available on which trim level, but the lineup starts off with the carnival lx and also includes ex, sx, and sx-prestige models. many driver-assistance features are standard equipment, with more advanced systems including blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera available as options.
pricing will likely start slightly higher than the current 2021 sedona, which starts at $31,575. kia will release more info in the coming months, as the 2022 carnival is scheduled to go on sale in the u.s. in the second quarter of 2021.