In actuality, Kia’s 2022 Kia Carnival is a cutting-edge minivan dressed as an SUV, despite the company’s claims that it is a multipurpose vehicle. The spacious third-row seating, which so many SUVs lack, and the traditional sliding side door are what identify it as a minivan. Additionally, the Carnival only has front-wheel drive while the majority of SUVs have all-wheel drive.
Nevertheless, the Kia Carnival is a fantastic people mover that can accommodate up to eight passengers comfortably. Additionally, each model is loaded with cutting-edge driver aid safety features and technology. When parents pull up to drop off a group of kids and their equipment at the sports field, its sleeker-than-most-minivan design might even help them avoid the outdated soccer mom and dad reputation.
The second row of the top-of-the-line Kia Carnival Prestige SX boasts seats that resemble those in business class; they are the most comfortable way to travel in any car under $50,000. The fit and finish of the cockpit is also on par with the level of luxury found inside high-end automobiles from manufacturers like Audi, BMW, and Lexus. More importantly, even the cheapest Carnival has a comprehensive selection of safety technology. It satisfies every requirement that the recently retired Kia Sedona minivan could not quite meet.
The Chrysler Pacifica, the minivan segment’s current best-selling vehicle with sales accounting for 40% of the segment through April 2021, will be closely followed by the 2022 Kia Carnival. The Toyota Sienna (32%) and Honda Odyssey follow in its wake (24 percent ). Since buyers abandoned the market in favor of SUVs five years ago, every top-selling minivan has undergone a redesign to stay competitive. But together, their sales have decreased from 1.1 million in 2005 to slightly over 270,000 in 2020.
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Does Kia make vans?
Even though many customers are thrilled about the brand-new Carnival, some may object to the stylistic alterations. Fortunately, the Kia vans from 2020 and 2021 are still available, but with a Sedona moniker. Consequently, the Kia family hauler is currently offered in the following configurations:
- The Kia Sedona, which is towards the end of its lifespan, is nevertheless attractive and useful. It has a roomy cabin with room for up to eight passengers and 33.9 cubic feet of cargo. In a market dominated by brand-new SUVs, it may have all the newest amenities, but it is beginning to age. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and a 3.3-liter gas V6 engine that produces 276 horsepower. Under mixed driving situations, it has respectable fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg.
- The Carnival, a newcomer to the market, seeks to talk the talk of an SUV while yet acting like a minivan. To do this, it offers customers the full utility of the body type while eschewing the unattractive boxy look. The V6 engine is still the same as in the previous Sedona, but the cabin has much more room for passengers and their belongings. To top it all off, the new generation van comes standard with a ton of cutting-edge driver assistance features, including rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision avoidance technology.
How reliable are Kia vans?
The anticipated reliability rating for the 2021 Kia Sedona is 81 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
Does Kia or Hyundai produce vans?
With the Carnival and Staria, Kia and Hyundai are upping their minivan game with a couple of intriguing models that might tempt customers away from purchasing that SUV. The larger of the two South Korean companies is also developing the Custo, a people mover that will debut at the Chengdu Auto Show on August 27.
Hyundai’s new minivan, as you may have guessed by this point, will only be available in China, but that won’t stop us from talking about it anytime a new teaser appears. The interior has now essentially been unveiled after this week’s peek of the outside design (after tweaking the brightness of these images). You’re not the only one feeling a Tucson vibe. The switchgear in the MPV appears to have been passed down from the tiny crossover, which also features the steering wheel.
Gallery: 2022 Hyundai Custo teasers
The Hyundai Custo has a 2+2+3 interior with captain’s seats for the second row and a floating center console with a 10.4-inch touchscreen set up in portrait mode and a few touch-sensitive shortcut buttons on either side. Although the Tucson’s digital instrument cluster protrudes slightly from the dashboard, it is skillfully incorporated into the interior of the minivan.
The Beijing Hyundai joint venture has not released any technical details, but we have heard that the Custo shares the same base as the Tucson and offers 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engines as options. While the latter is capable of 233 horsepower (174 kW) and 260 pound-feet of torque, the former is rated at 167 horsepower (125 kilowatts) and 187 pound-feet (353 Nm).
Do Kia’s cargo vans exist?
With the back seats up, the Kia SOUL’s standard cargo under tray offers 18.8 cubic feet of payload space. 49.5 cu ft may be stored when the back seats are folded. Still require more space?
The new Kia Carnival is it an SUV or a van?
The outgoing Sedona is replaced by the new Kia Carnival as the Korean manufacturer’s new minivan option. It’s a competitive and cost-conscious minivan option that has appealing features at a reasonable price. The starting price is $32,300, and the top trim raises the price to around $47,000.
How much does a new Kia van cost?
This week, Kia revealed that the price of the 2022 Kia Carnival minivan, which will be available at dealers in the second quarter, will be $33,275, including destination. The 2022 Kia Sedona’s replacement will cost $1,700 more, but it has a tony Prestige trim, a host of new standard safety and convenience features, and a fresh design.
The 2022 Carnival employs a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which it shares a platform with the Kia Sorento three-row crossover SUV. There is no all-wheel drive option or hybrid powertrain, unlike the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica and 2021 Toyota Sienna, which both have an 8-speed automatic transmission that drives only the front wheels.
The Sienna, a hybrid vehicle with front-wheel drive and an EPA-rated 36 mpg, is nearly $2,000 more expensive than the Carnival. The Carnival achieves a combined 22 mpg. Additionally, it costs only $10 more than the 2022 Honda Odyssey, which offers only front-wheel drive.
The Carnival, according to Kia, has the best cargo and passenger volume in its class and is lighter, stronger, and quieter than the Sedona. The 2022 Carnival is available in LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige variants and can accommodate up to eight passengers.
Every Carnival is well-equipped with a variety of standard driver-assist functions, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, parking sensors, automatic high lights, and a driver attentiveness warning. A 7-seat layout and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are among the standard convenience features. Other features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, cloth seats, USB ports in all three rows, and second-row seats that can be removed.
Customers must spend an additional $2,000, or $35,275, to purchase the LX with Seating Package, which also includes heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eighth seat.
Alternately, you might spend more money and obtain the $38,775 EX trim, which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen (but smartphones must be tethered), satellite radio, GPS, one-touch power windows, bicycle recognition, parking sensors, and limited hands-free highway driving.
For $42,275, the SX model adds more exterior chrome, skid plates, roof rails, 19-inch black alloy wheels, power-folding mirrors, an entertainment system for the backseat, a surround-view camera system, and more. There are eight seats in the EX and SX versions.
The SX Prestige, which costs $47,275, is the huge top of the Carnival tent. It comes with dual sunroofs, 12-speaker Bose sound, leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and other enhancements. The second row is replaced with captain’s chairs with footrests.
Which car, the Kia Sedona or Toyota Sienna, is better?
The 2019 Toyota Sienna provides significantly roomier accommodation for its second and third rows of passengers. In fact, it dwarfs the 2019 Kia Sedona in terms of trunk space, offering a best-in-class 150 cubic feet while the Sedona offers a maximum of 142 cubic feet. Row by row, let’s dissect that so you can clearly see the difference.
The 2019 Toyota Sienna’s real trunk volume behind the third row seat is 39.1 cubic feet, but if you fold down the third row, that volume increases to 87.1 cubic feet. You can move furniture or transport materials to the school talent show in your 150 cubic feet of cargo hold, which is accessible once the second row of seats is removed. The 2019 Kia Sedona’s real trunk capacity is 33.9 cubic feet, and because the second row seats cannot be removed, the cargo compartment can accommodate a maximum of 142 cubic feet when the third row is folded down.
How durable are Kia vans?
Since its introduction in 1998, the Kia Sedona has served as the brand’s iconic minivan model for more than 20 years. It served as the forerunner to Kia’s rebranded and redesigned minivan, the Carnival, which made its debut in 2022. Until the more SUV-like Carnival took its place, the Sedona served as Kia’s main offering in the minivan market.
Although not very sophisticated, most Sedonas were said to have few problems and could travel up to 250,000 miles with regular maintenance and proper upkeep. Despite being somewhat successful, it still had shortcomings. These Kia Sedona years should be avoided.
Short Answer: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2016
The Sedona had been a fixture in the minivan market for 20 years prior to the Carnival. The Sedona is generally thought of as a nice minivan for a reasonable price. However, some particular years have a number of issues, including recalls and owner-reported customer complaints. The first and third versions of the Kia Sedona are mostly the ones to steer clear of.
Common problems and grievances
- An abundance of recalls
- low engine output
- Fire risks
- Ratings of average safety
- Costly repair work
The Sedona has seen a series of significant recalls since its launch shortly after 2000 for each model year. The only vehicles with just one significant recall were those from 2014 and the most recent model year in 2020. Recalls are a factor to take into account, although they do not always make or break a car.
- 4 in 2002
- 5 in 2003
- 3 in 2004
- 2 in 2005
- 8 in 2006
- 9 in 2007
- 6 in 2008
- 6 in 2009
- 6 in 2010
- 6 in 2011
- 5 in 2012
- 2013 not applicable
- 1 in 2014
- 3 in 2015
- 3 in 2016
- 3 in 2017
- 3 in 2018
- 1 in 2020
In addition to recalls, Kia has replied to over 200 recorded bulletins with common troubleshooting concerns reported by drivers and consumers. Due to the fact that the 20062012 models were recalled numerous times for the same issues, they have a comparable number of recalls. Due to the Kia Sedona’s absence in 2013 the 2013 model is also lacking.
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Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2002, 2003, and 2005
A used 2002 Kia Sedona would probably cost less than $3,000 if you were looking for one today. There have been concerns about the difficult handling and weak engine in this model year. In addition, the 2002 Sedona was the target of numerous safety recalls right away after the model’s introduction. It encountered comparable difficulties in 2003 and 2005 as a result of inadequate front seat assembly and seat belt concerns.
The seatbelts’ shoddy construction prevented them from providing reliable restraint in the event of a collision. Wires that touched the metal underneath the front seats were the subject of the most recent recall, which was issued in 2005. This was one of the most hazardous risks since it occasionally sparked flames.
Common problems
- inadequate engine power
- defective seatbelts
- numerous recalls
- Under the chairs, there are fire risks
- inadequate handling skills
There are several cars available that allow you to tower above obstacles without sacrificing the comfort of a compact automobile. Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of our top new sedans with high ground clearance.
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2012
The 2012 Sedona gained notoriety for a relatively unusual cause. It had a weak roof rating and presented potential safety risks in the event of an accident. Furthermore, the car cage’s design and safety rating only obtained a “satisfactory grade. The best cars on the market right now, even older Sedona models, frequently have great overall IIHS ratings.
For the 2012 model year, there have been a total of 5 significant recalls, raising more concerns about its safety. Even the 2012 model year was the target of a lawsuit because of the soy wire coating that had drawn animals to the undercarriage and harmed the electrical system. Consumer Reports only gave the 2012 model a 1 out of 5 owner satisfaction rating, which is a significant indicator of consumer unhappiness.
Most frequent problems:
- safety issues
- problems with soy-based electrical wiring
- a low score for customer satisfaction
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2016
The most expensive and current model to appear on the list of years to stay away from is the 2016 Kia Sedona, but its issues show that it is not worth the money. According to Kia Complaints, the only Sedona model year from the third generation to stay away from is the 2016.
The 2016 Sedona has received the most NHTSA complaints involving electrical issues. The incorrect rear light would be produced by blinkers, posing a clear driving hazard. Headlights suddenly cut off and turn signals don’t work properly, greatly increasing the chance of a collision at night.
- Turn signal and electrical failure
- sudden failure of the headlights
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What Kia Sedona Models are Good?
In the US, the Kia Sedona has been available for sale for about 20 years. In this regard, we were able to gather testimonials from long-term owners from a variety of Sedona forums. The Kia Sedona has received favorable reviews from numerous reputable sources, especially the most current model produced prior to 2016. These typically receive ratings from U.S. News of 4.5 out of 5 stars, indicating that they are reasonable choices for customers. Most of the newest generation cars have only a few recalls and minor complaints, with the exception of the 2016 model.
J.D. Power ranked the most recent Sedona second among the top four minivans with an 81 out of 100 quality and reliability rating. Most experts would advise extra rustproofing after the Sedona’s 5-year anti-perforation warranty has passed. Although the Sedona has since been replaced by the more contemporary Carnival, it still offers most families a reasonably reliable car at a reasonable cost.
To get a better sense of the ride, it’s usually a good idea to test out a few different model years. Even though each generation is generally similar, each year does have a distinctive mood and its own eccentricities. Most people looking for a minivan should consider the Sedona; you just need to look around a bit to get the one that’s right for you.
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