It's Carnival Time at Kia!

(UPDATE--01/14/2021: Kia's top brass in Korea has just confirmed the name change for North America. Below is the original article.)

Last June, Kia unveiled a new generation of the minivan we North Americans know as the Sedona but is sold as the Carnival in other markets.

The Korean automaker, which is in the process of simplifying its vehicle nomenclatures globally (like the Optima became the new K5, for instance), appears to be set to rename the Sedona on our continent for the 2022 model year.

According to documents by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the U.S. and information from a VIN decoder posted on the Sedona Forum, the minivan will be called Carnival here as well.

The Car Guide contacted Kia Canada to get a confirmation, but to no avail.

Photo: Kia

The vehicle will likely be a close copy of what you see on these pictures. With a sharp new design and rugged stance, the company prefers to talk about a “Grand Utility Vehicle” rather than a conventional minivan. However, forget the luxurious Limousine version with first-class seating that’s available in South Korea.

As for powertrains, the Carnival offers a 3.5-litre V6 rated at 294 horsepower and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 202 horsepower. Only the former will be sold here, of course. You can expect an eight-speed automatic transmission, too, but alas no AWD system or hybrid variant to compete with the new Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna.

The 2022 Kia Carnival should go on sale in Canada in mid-2021 with a slightly higher base price than the current Sedona ($32,295 plus freight and delivery). Further details will likely be provided in the coming weeks.

Photo: Kia
Share on Facebook

More on the subject

NewsRedesigned Kia Sedona No Longer Wants to be Called a Minivan
Kia recently unveiled pictures of the new Sedona a.k.a Carnival in its domestic market of South Korea. At first glance, it appears the company wants to focus on styling to attract more customers. As a matter of fact, rather than calling it a minivan, Kia prefers to talk about a …
Test Drives2021 Kia Sorento: More Attractive, Yet Less Capable
The Sorento has been a staple at Kia since 2002. While it debuted as a body-on-frame SUV, this family mover from Korea has become more and more refined over the years, largely contributing to the brand’s success in Canada. Following the introduction of the fourth-generation 2021 Kia Sorento for the …
NewsKia Unveils New Logo and Slogan to Mark New Start
Following Volkswagen and Nissan , it’s now Kia ’s turn to adopt a new logo. Why? The Korean automaker is on the verge of a bold transformation and needs to project a more modern image. “The introduction of the new logo represents Kia’s ambitions to establish a leadership position in …
New Models2022 Kia Carnival is Here to Bust Myths About Minivans
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival is ready to hit North America as a replacement for the Sedona . It’s not marketed as a new minivan, though, but rather as the brand’s first, self-titled “Life Utility Vehicle” (LUV). Because, you know, minivans are out and SUVs are in. The Carnival is …
Test Drives2022 Kia Carnival: 10 Things We Like or Dislike
Modern minivans must reinvent themselves and be creative if they hope to curb their steady extinction as sport utility vehicles (SUV) keep ruling the market. This is what the all-new 2022 Kia Carnival is trying to do as a fresh replacement for the Sedona in Canada. The company says it’s …