2022 Kia Carnival MPV. Credit: Kia.
Kia is taking its own carnival on the road - literally. As in, that�s the name of its new sort-of minivan. Technically, Kia calls the all-new 2022 Kia Carnival a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), describing it as taking the �unoccupied space between SUV and family hauler�. Whatever you call it, the three-row Carnival replaces the outgoing Sedona and it�s the first vehicle that will wear Kia�s new logo on its hood. It will come in four trim levels: LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige and offer a Kia proclaimed best-in-class passenger room and best-in-class cargo room.
Exterior
The Carnival�s boxy design features cues found on the Kia Telluride, Sorento, and Seltos. Design elements include a modernized �tiger nose� grille with integrated high-tech LED headlamps, dramatic hood lines, brawny wheel arches and a bold beltime running the length of the vehicle, joining front and rear lamps. It will ride on either 17- or 19-inch wheels.
Other design features include:
- Large two-tone mirrors
- Black/chrome rocker panel moldings
- Sleek combination taillamps
- Rear skid plate garnish and reflectors
Interior
There are three colors choices for the interior - which seats 7- or 8-passengers. You�ll find high-gloss black surfaces in the interior, with chrome accents and integrated slim metal air vents. Kia says it offers:
- 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 a sliding second row center seat which, when in the forward-most position, allows the front passenger easy access to the baby or child riding in it. This seat also converts into a functional 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)
Features
The Carnival also offers a bunch of other features:
- 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 and liftgate (EX and above)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) uses ultrasonic sensors engineered to detect child or pet movement in the second and third rows after the doors have been locked. It then can notify the driver and surrounding area by sounding the horn, illuminating the hazard lamps, and notifying the driver through mobile phone via the UVO link app (EX and above)
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA) Audibly alerts the driver or passengers opening their door not to exit the vehicle when the system detects approaching traffic. The system can intervene to lock 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 in the back seat, even after dark (standard on EX, SX, SX-Prestige)
- Passenger Talk cabin intercom system for clear communication between passengers up front 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 screen mirroring (standard on SX, SX-Prestige)
Technology
Standard and optional technology includes:
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 3-in. navigation display
- 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-sound experience
- Dynamic Speed Compensation analyzes the sound source and automatically adjusts 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 UVO cloud to calculate the optimal route using real-time maps, predicted upcoming traffic info based on historical information and AI to learn the preferred routes of users
- 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 to their vehicle. The drivers can have their individual UVO accounts linked to the vehicle and access to the remote features using the Kia Access App. The profile stores some select settings in the UVO account and can be shared with other compatible Kia vehicles
- Calendar Integration: Designed to sync your Google or iCloud calendar with UVO link allowing you to receive event notification alerts while in the vehicle, and, in some cases, navigation to your event�s destination, if the address has been entered in the calendar event
- Last Mile Navigation: Gives you walking directions to your selected navigation destination from up to one mile away through the Kia Access with UVO link app on your 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)
- Advanced notifications:
- Engine Idle Notification and Automatic Engine Shut Off notifies the driver via the UVO link app if the engine is left idling and, after a pre-selected time, turns off the engine
- Rear Occupancy Alert can send push notification alerts via the UVO link app if movement is detected inside the vehicle
- 911 Connect and Roadside Assistance will automatically attempt to call 911 via the built-in UVO modem if an airbag deploys. For non-emergencies, it can connect with 24/7 roadside assist and share the vehicle�s location
Platform
The 2022 Carnival is underpinned by the same all-new 3rd generation �N3� platform as the Sorento and new K5 sedan. It�s lighter, stronger and quieter than the outgoing architecture with:
- Expanded use of hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel for increased average tensile 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 fuel economy
Powertrain
The Carnival is front-wheel drive and powered by a 3.5-liter V6 GDI Engine. Kia says it offers best-in-class 290-horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque. It�s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and officers 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
Driver Assistance
Standard Kia Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features include:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): Assists the driver when braking to help prevent a collision or lessen the effects in certain conditions if a pedestrian or vehicle is detected in front. Uses automatic braking to avoid or mitigate an impact.
- Blind-Spot Avoidance Assist (BCA): Under certain conditions, can detect vehicles traveling in the next lane. When a vehicle is �seen� in the blind spot, the vehicle brakes the outer wheel under certain conditions to help return the vehicle to its lane
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA): Helps detect most approaching cross traffic when in reverse. When approaching cross traffic is detected, the system alerts the driver and applies brakes
- Parking Distance Warning-Reverse (PDW-R): Detects certain objects behind the vehicle, issuing an audible warning when an obstruction is detected. The warning tone chimes faster as the vehicle gets closer to the detected object
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) with Lane Following Assist (LFA): Follows lane markings that the system detects and provides steering inputs to help maintain the vehicle in the center of the lane and includes Lane Departure Warning (LDW), which provides an audible warning when the vehicle drifts from its intended lane
- High Beam Assist (HBA): Detects oncoming traffic and automatically switches off the high beam headlights then turns them on once traffic has passed
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW): Senses inattentive driving patterns and sends an audible/visual warning to alert the driver
In addition, the Carnival offers several available �Kia Drive Wise� Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for additional peace of mind:
- Segment-exclusive Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM): Projects live video view of adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster and activated via the turn signal
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Cyclist (FCA � cyclist): Helps detect cyclists in front of the vehicle and uses automatic braking to avoid or mitigate an impact
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA). Uses federal highway speed limit information from the navigation system and, under certain conditions, will automatically adjust speed to be within the posted speed limit and maintain distance with the vehicle detected in front
- Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C): Leverages the navigation system to lower the vehicle�s speed proactively before upcoming curves
- Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (PCA-R): Uses rear view camera and rear ultrasonic sensors to help detect most pedestrians or nearby obstacles when the vehicle backs out of a parking spot, warning drivers with a chime and can engage brakes to prevent a collision
- Surround View Monitor (SVM): Utilizes four cameras to provide a 360-degree perspective around the vehicle enhancing driver confidence in tight parking situations
Pricing and Availability
The Carnival goes on sale in the second quarter of 2021 starting from $32,100. The top-of-the-line SX Prestige trim takes you quite a bit higher. It will start from $46,100. Prices do not include destination charges of $1,175.
