2022 Kia Carnival Preview
With the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica having received significant refreshes for the 2021 model year and the Toyota Sienna having received a complete update, Kia has previewed a complete revamp of its minivan, with the Sedona name being retired in favor of the Carnival name. Offering both 7-passenger and 8-passenger options along with newly available technology and comfort features, Kia is extending the limits of what a minivan can offer with the new Carnival.
Slated to arrive in dealerships during the second quarter of this year, all Carnivals come with front-wheel-drive and a V-6 making 290 horsepower, which enables the van to tow up to 3,500 pounds. In addition, the Carnival notably offers best-in-class 168.2 cubic feet of passenger room and best-in-class 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room (behind the first row). Hands-free opening power sliding doors with Smart Key come standard, making loading people in an easier experience.
There will be four trim levels to choose from: base LX, midrange EX, well-equipped SX, and top-end SX-Prestige. An infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display comes standard along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features that come standard on all Carnivals include forward collision-avoidance assistance, blind-spot avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, parking distance warning, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning as well as Safe Exit Assist, which sounds an alert telling passengers not to exit the vehicle when the system detects approaching traffic.
Notable equipment on higher trim levels of the Carnival include a Rear Passenger View Camera with zoom and night vision to keep an eye on children in the back seat, a cabin intercom system, a passenger voice recognition system that allows people in the second row to control some vehicle function using voice commands, 12-speaker Bose sound system, and dual rear-screen entertainment monitors with the wireless Apple and Android device screen mirroring.
VIP Lounge Seating in the Carnival.
Those looking at a Carnival specifically for the middle row may appreciate the available heated and ventilated second-row VIP Lounge Seating with power controls, wing-out headrests and leg extensions, to provide an experience similar to an airline business class.
We’re eager to see how the Carnival holds its own against the other minivans to pick from. With the availability of a great deal of must-have features in today’s family vehicles, the Carnival provides growing households with a vehicle to accomplish all the chores. Ultimately, families will definitely find something to like with the Carnival and we cannot wait to see how features enhance family road trips.
