The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) replaces the outgoing Sedona to become a multifaceted and unexpected companion. Staking claim on the unoccupied space between SUV and family hauler, the Carnival arrives with a new name and is the first vehicle to be sold in the U.S. with Kia’s new logo proudly displayed on its sculpted hood.
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It pushes the boundaries on expected fronts in much the same way the Kia K5 did to redefine what a midsize sedan should be. Penned at Kia’s California design studio, the Carnival wears a bold and boxy appearance and conveys the visual language found on the brand’s recent and highly successful line of rugged utility vehicles – Telluride, Sorento, and Seltos.
Inside, the three-row seven- or eight-passenger MPV delivers a premium level of refinement, savvy technology, and flexibility. And with best-in-class passenger room and best-in-class cargo room there is enough space to accommodate people, playthings, or plywood, depending on the day’s errands…or adventures. The Carnival is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 engine making a best-in-class 290 horsepower.
This powertrain provides up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity for confident trailer, boat, or camper excursions. And that confidence is amplified by an expansive roster of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)1. Together, these elements make Carnival an exceptional combination of modern design, capability, safety and luxury.
“The 2022 Kia Carnival is here to disrupt a staid segment and proves once again what is possible when conventions are shattered,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia Motors North America, Kia Motors America. “With its SUV-like character, our new multi-purpose vehicle delivers a combination of premium design, intelligent packaging, and an abundance of innovation in safety and technology. For these reasons, the Carnival is the first vehicle to proudly wear our all-new Kia badge and is a bold signal of things to come.”
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The 2022 Kia Carnival will be offered in four trim levels: LX, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige. This all-new MPV is expected to go on sale in the second quarter of this year.
Rugged yet Refined Exterior
The exterior of the 2022 Carnival follows suit with Kia’s recent signature boxy SUV style. This strong and confident design language directly connects to the crisp lines found on other recent Kia debuts:
-Kia’s modernized “tiger nose” grille gives substantial width to the face and artfullyintegrates the high-tech LED headlamps.
-Dramatic hood lines enhance the vehicle’s unexpected aggressive character-Brawny wheel arches give a sense of volume to the body from the side view.
-A bold cutline runs the length of the vehicle, joining front and rear lamps.
-Large two-tone mirrors and black/chrome rocker panel moldings contribute to the upscalelook and feel.
-Sleek combination taillamps feature unexpected geometric shapes.
-Rear skid plate garnish and reflectors lend to an SUV-like presence.
-Robust 17- and 19-inch wheels and available gloss-black wheel design bring style andstrength to Carnival’s athletic stance.
Premium, Flexible and Innovative Cabin
Within, the Carnival’s sleek design elements and quality materials come together to create a refined and sophisticated interior space:
-The center fascia takes on a premium image with high-gloss black surfaces.
-A chrome garnish runs the length of the dash to create a sense of space and openness inthe forward cabin-Integrated slim metal air vents are a modern touch.
-Three bold interior colors bring richness to this finely crafted environment.
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In addition to the Carnival’s elevated interior styling, the all-new MPV offers plenty of space for 7- or 8-passenger flexibility, comfort for long road trips, or jaunts to the local lumber store:
-Best-in-class 168.2 cubic feet of passenger room
-Best-in-class 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room (behind first row) in LX, EX, SX trims
-“Slide-Flex” seating for 8-passenger versions allow multiple configurations including asliding second row center seat which, when in the forward-most position, allows the frontpassenger easy access the baby or child riding in it. This seat also converts into afunctional table.
-Available heated and ventilated second-row VIP Lounge Seating with power controls,wing-out headrests and leg extensions in up-level 7-passenger configuration.
-Removable second-row seats and fold-in-floor third-row seats for best-in-class cargo room(second row seats not removable in SX-Prestige).
The Carnival also offers a roster of special and innovative features to make travel easier, safer,and more enjoyable:
-Standard hands-free opening power sliding doors with Smart Key.
-Available hands-free Smart Power Liftgate with auto-close (EX and above).
-Available Smart Key with one-button open/close functionality for rear sliding doors andliftgate (EX and above)-Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)2 uses ultrasonic sensors engineered to detect child or petmovement in the second and third rows after the doors have been locked. It then can notifythe driver and surrounding area by sounding the horn, illuminating the hazard lamps, andnotifying the driver through mobile phone via the UVO link app (EX and above).
-Safe Exit Assist (SEA)3: Audibly alerts the driver or passengers opening their door not toexit the vehicle when the system detects approaching traffic. The system can intervene tolock the rear doors when the vehicle is equipped with available Power Child Lock-Rear Passenger View Camera with zoom and night vision to keep an eye on children inthe back seat, even after dark (standard on EX, SX, SX-Prestige).
-Passenger Talk cabin intercom system for clear communication between passengers upfront and in the rear (standard on EX, SX, SX-Prestige)-Passenger Voice Recognition allows second row occupants to control numerous in-vehicle functions through voice commands by pushing a button mounted on the ceiling(standard on EX SX, SX-Prestige).
-Dual Rear Screen Entertainment Monitors with Wireless Apple and Android device screenmirroring (standard on SX, SX-Prestige).
And like all of Kia’s lineup, the Carnival offers a wide array of standard and optional technology, including:
-Standard 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
-Wireless smartphone charging-12.3- in. navigation display-12.3- in. full digital instrument cluster.
-Multi-Bluetooth connectivity-Up to nine USB ports for all three rows and two 110-volt power inverters.
-Bose Premium sound system, available with 12 high-performance speakers.
-Bose Centerpoint technology converts stereo sources into a richer surround-soundexperience.
-Dynamic Speed Compensation analyzes the sound source and automaticallyadjusts according to speed.
UVO link telematics offers an array of advanced connected vehicle features, such as:
-Connected Routing: A new cloud-based route calculation system that uses UVOcloud to calculate the optimal route using real-time maps, predicted upcomingtraffic info based on historical information and AI to learn the preferred routes ofusers.
-Connected Weather: Provides weather information for more than 25,000 cities.
-Enhanced UVO voice assist feature allows voice control of the vehicle’s climate,seat and steering-wheel heating, audio system, and other functions.
-Connected User Profiles: Allows customers to add an additional driver profile totheir vehicle. The drivers can have their individual UVO accounts linked to thevehicle and access to the remote features using the Kia Access App. The profilestores some select settings in the UVO account and can be shared with othercompatible Kia vehicles.
-Calendar Integration: Designed to sync your Google or iCloud calendar with UVOlink allowing you to receive event notification alerts while in the vehicle, and, insome cases, navigation to your event’s destination, if the address has beenentered in the calendar event.
-Last Mile Navigation: Gives you walking directions to your selected navigationdestination from up to one mile away through the Kia Access with UVO link app onyour compatible smartphone.
-UVO & Smart Speaker Integration lets customers use Amazon-Alexa or Google-Assistant enabled smart speaker or device to remotely control some functions(such as remote start).
Built on a Better Base
The 2022 Carnival is underpinned by the same all-new 3rd generation “N3” platform as the capable Sorento and sporty K5. Kia’s engineers made sure it was lighter, stronger and quieter than the outgoing architecture, and highlights include:
-Expanded use of hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel for increased averagetensile strength and torsional stiffness that result in better driving dynamics.
-Greater application of sound absorbing and insulating materials to minimize road, wind,and engine noise.
-Aerodynamic improvements to wheels, front bumper, and mirrors to achieve better fueleconomy.
Powered by a Single Source
The front-wheel drive Carnival keeps things simple with a single powertrain and best-in-class horsepower that is a perfect partner for this MPV’s size and intentions:
-3.5-liter V6 GDI Engine-Best in class 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm-262 lb.-ft. torque at 5,000 rpm-8- speed automatic transmission-3500 lbs. of towing capacity.
Source: Kia
